The UCLA Bruins baseball program added one of the very best junior college players in the country last week adding outfielder Brandon Leon from College of the Desert. Leon is entering his junior season and already possesses Division I experience.
Leon’s college career began in 2023 with CSU: Northridge, where he batted .274 in 28 games with two home runs and eight runs batted in. Leon’s college career came to a half in 2024 when he suffered a season-ending injury on the first game of the season.
Injuries didn’t only cost Leon the 2024 season, as Leon missed the entire 2025 season with an injury. Leon returned to game action this year at the junior college level, where he earned All-American honors.
College of the Desert saw Leon bat .458 over 39 games with five home runs, 49 RBI and 33 stolen bases. Leon totaled the sixth-most hits in the state and the second-most doubles with 24. UCLA will see if they can turn some of those doubles into home runs as he develops at a Power Four conference.
UCLA will need to add some talent to their outfield. The Bruins saw starter Payton Brennan enter the transfer portal this offseason and another starter, Will Gasparino, could be selected to the MLB Draft. Gasparino is the No. 85 2026 MLB Draft prospect according to MLB.com.
The 6’0” outfielder is no stranger to Southern California, growing up in La Quinta, CA before playing at two SoCal college baseball programs.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Junior college All-American outfielder Brandon Leon commits to UCLA
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire | USA TODAY Network
