Jonny DeLuca Bio
Jonathan Davis DeLuca, known professionally as Jonny DeLuca, is an American professional baseball outfielder who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on July 10, 1998, he previously played in the majors for the Los Angeles Dodgers, with whom he made his MLB debut in 2023. A versatile outfielder with a blend of speed and developing power, DeLuca has worked his way up through the minor leagues since being drafted in 2019.
Early Life and Background
DeLuca attended Agoura High School in Agoura Hills, California, where he developed his baseball skills as a young athlete. Coming out of high school, his talent was recognized by Major League Baseball scouts, leading to his selection by the Minnesota Twins in the 39th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. Rather than sign with the Twins, DeLuca chose to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level, a decision that allowed him to further refine his game against high-level competition.
After high school, DeLuca enrolled at the University of Oregon, where he played college baseball for two seasons. During the summer of 2018, he gained valuable experience by playing collegiate summer baseball with the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the most prestigious amateur baseball leagues in the country. His performance that summer was strong enough to earn him a selection as a league all-star, reinforcing his growing reputation as a promising outfielder.
Path to Baseball
DeLuca’s path to professional baseball was shaped by his decision to play college ball rather than sign out of high school, a move that gave him additional time to develop physically and refine his offensive approach. His experience in the Cape Cod League during the summer of 2018 served as a critical stepping stone, exposing him to top amateur talent and providing a platform to showcase his abilities.
Following two years at the University of Oregon, DeLuca was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 25th round, with the 761st overall pick, of the 2019 MLB Draft. He signed with the organization, officially beginning his professional career. The Dodgers saw in him a combination of athleticism, speed, and emerging power that fit their player development philosophy.
Jonny DeLuca Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
DeLuca made his professional debut in 2019 with the rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers, where he hit .273 across 26 games. The 2020 season, however, brought an unexpected halt to his development when the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing him from playing in any official games that year.
He returned to action in 2021, splitting time between the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and the High-A Great Lakes Loons, posting a combined .264 batting average with 22 home runs and 64 runs batted in (RBI) over 101 games. The following year, DeLuca began 2021 with Great Lakes before earning a promotion to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, where he continued to show power potential by hitting 25 home runs and driving in 71 runs across 98 games.
Los Angeles Dodgers Breakthrough (2023)
On November 15, 2022, the Dodgers added DeLuca to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, signaling their belief in his future contributions. He began the 2023 season back in Tulsa before being promoted to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers on May 16, 2023. After appearing in 17 games at Triple-A, he received his first major league call-up on June 4, 2023.
DeLuca made his MLB debut on June 7, 2023, starting in center field against the Cincinnati Reds. Two days later, on June 9, he recorded his first major league hit, a single to center field off Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez. On July 4, 2023, DeLuca hit his first MLB home run, a memorable shot off Ángel Perdomo of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He appeared in 24 major league games during his rookie season, batting .262 with two home runs and six RBI before being optioned back to the minors.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2024–Present)
On December 16, 2023, the Dodgers traded DeLuca and pitcher Ryan Pepiot to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot, marking the start of a new chapter in his career. In his first full season with Tampa Bay in 2024, DeLuca appeared in 107 games, batting .217 with six home runs, 31 RBI, and 16 stolen bases, showcasing his value as a multi-tool outfielder.
DeLuca opened the 2025 season on a strong note with the Rays, hitting .435 with one RBI and four stolen bases across nine games. However, on April 8, 2025, he was placed on the injured list due to a right shoulder strain and was later transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 27. After being activated on July 25, he returned to action and batted .333 with four RBI and six stolen bases in 20 appearances. Unfortunately, on August 8, he was placed back on the injured list with a left hamstring strain and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on September 13, officially ending his 2025 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
DeLuca is known for his combination of speed and emerging power, making him a valuable asset in all phases of the game. His ability to play multiple outfield positions and his aggressive baserunning, demonstrated by his 16 stolen bases in 2024, give him the profile of a modern utility outfielder. His work ethic and continued offensive development suggest a player with upside as he gains more major league experience.
Notable Events and Milestones
Some of the most memorable moments of DeLuca’s young career include his MLB debut on June 7, 2023, his first hit off Ranger Suárez two days later, and his first home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 4, 2023. The December 2023 trade to the Tampa Bay Rays marked a significant turning point, providing him with an opportunity for a full-time role in the majors.
Jonny DeLuca Career Wins
Jonny DeLuca’s career statistics reflect steady progression from the lower levels of the minor leagues to a full-time role in Major League Baseball. While he has not yet established himself as an award winner at the major league level, his combination of speed, defense, and growing power has earned him consistent playing time with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Minor League and Major League Highlights
Across his minor league career, DeLuca has shown a consistent ability to hit for power, including seasons of 22 home runs in 2021 and 25 home runs in 2022. At the major league level, he has made steady contributions in limited opportunities, including his .262 batting average with two home runs during his 2023 debut season with the Dodgers and his 16 stolen bases with the Rays in 2024.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his statistical accomplishments, DeLuca was named a Cape Cod Baseball League all-star in 2018, an early indicator of his professional potential. His performance in that prestigious summer league helped solidify his draft stock and led to his eventual selection by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019.
Jonny DeLuca Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Jonny DeLuca’s family background are not widely documented in publicly available sources. He grew up in the Agoura Hills area of California, where he attended Agoura High School and developed his baseball skills before going on to play college baseball at the University of Oregon.
Personal Life
Publicly available information about Jonny DeLuca’s personal life is limited. He is known to be an American by nationality, and his focus throughout his early professional career has remained on baseball, with limited public reporting on his personal or family matters.
2025 Season Performance
Jonny DeLuca’s 2025 season with the Tampa Bay Rays got off to an impressive start, as he batted .435 with one RBI and four stolen bases in his first nine games, generating excitement about his potential role in the Rays’ outfield. Unfortunately, his momentum was halted on April 8, 2025, when a right shoulder strain landed him on the injured list, and a subsequent transfer to the 60-day injured list on May 27 kept him sidelined for an extended period.
Following his activation on July 25, 2025, DeLuca returned to form quickly, hitting .333 with four RBI and six stolen bases across 20 appearances and once again showcasing his value as a versatile contributor. His season, however, came to an early end on August 8, when a left hamstring strain sent him back to the injured list, and a transfer to the 60-day injured list on September 13 officially ended his campaign. Despite the injury setbacks, DeLuca’s production in his limited 2025 appearances reinforced his standing within the Rays organization and his potential for a bounce-back 2026 season.