Jonathan Davis DeLuca Bio
Jonathan Davis DeLuca (born July 10, 1998) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers. DeLuca made his MLB debut in 2023 with the Dodgers and was traded to Tampa Bay in December 2023. He bats and throws right-handed and wears number 21 for the Rays.
Early Life and Background
DeLuca attended Agoura High School in Agoura Hills, California. During his high school career, he established himself as a talented baseball player, attracting attention from Major League Baseball scouts. After graduating from Agoura High School, DeLuca chose to play college baseball at the University of Oregon rather than signing with the Minnesota Twins, who had selected him in the 39th round of the 2017 MLB Draft.
At the University of Oregon, DeLuca developed his skills as a two-way player for the Ducks baseball program. His collegiate career was briefly interrupted by a successful stint in the Cape Cod Baseball League during the summer of 2018. Playing for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, DeLuca earned recognition as a league all-star, further solidifying his reputation as a rising prospect heading into the 2019 MLB Draft.
Path to Major League Baseball
DeLuca entered the 2019 MLB Draft with a strong collegiate performance and summer league credentials. The Los Angeles Dodgers selected him in the 25th round with the 761st overall pick. DeLuca signed with the Dodgers and began his professional career that same year in the rookie-level Arizona League, where he hit .273 across 26 games. This early success demonstrated his ability to transition from college baseball to professional competition.
His progression through the minor leagues was temporarily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which canceled the entire 2020 minor league season. When play resumed in 2021, DeLuca returned to action with the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and was later promoted to the High-A Great Lakes Loons. Combined between both levels, he appeared in 101 games and hit .264 with 22 home runs and 64 runs batted in, showcasing his power-hitting ability at the plate.
Jonathan Davis DeLuca Career
Minor League Development (2019–2022)
DeLuca continued his upward trajectory through the Dodgers minor league system in 2022. He started the season with Great Lakes before earning a promotion to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers. Between both levels, he played 98 games and hit .260 with 25 home runs and 71 runs batted in. His consistent power production and defensive versatility made him an increasingly valuable prospect within the organization.
On November 15, 2022, the Dodgers added DeLuca to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. This move signaled the organization’s belief in his potential and cleared the path for his eventual big league opportunity.
Los Angeles Dodgers Breakthrough (2023)
DeLuca began the 2023 season with the Tulsa Drillers before receiving a promotion to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers on May 16. After just 17 games at the Triple-A level, the Dodgers called him up to the major leagues on June 4. DeLuca made his MLB debut on June 7, 2023, starting in center field against the Cincinnati Reds. He went hitless in two at-bats with a walk in his debut appearance.
His first major league hit came on June 9, a single to center field off Ranger Suárez of the Philadelphia Phillies. On July 4, 2023, DeLuca hit his first MLB home run, a solo shot off Ángel Perdomo of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played in 24 games with the Dodgers that season, hitting .262 with two home runs and six runs batted in before being optioned back to the minors. Between his two minor league levels that year, he combined to hit .294 with 17 home runs and 53 RBI in 73 games.
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. The trade gave DeLuca an opportunity to join a competitive Rays roster and compete for regular playing time in the outfield.
DeLuca appeared in 107 games during the 2024 campaign with Tampa Bay. He batted .217 with a .278 on-base percentage and a .331 slugging percentage, contributing six home runs, 31 runs batted in, and 16 stolen bases. His defensive versatility and speed provided value to the Rays outfield alignment throughout the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
DeLuca is known for his defensive versatility across all three outfield positions, with center field being his primary position. He brings above-average speed to the lineup and has demonstrated the ability to steal bases at a productive rate. His power-hitting ability from the outfield provides additional thump in the Rays batting order. He has shown the capacity to handle both leadoff and middle-of-the-order roles depending on game situations and matchups.
Notable Events and Milestones
The trade to Tampa Bay represented a significant milestone in DeLuca’s career, moving him from a Dodgers organization that had developed him since 2019 to a Rays team with consistent postseason aspirations. His first MLB home run on July 4, 2023, against the Pirates remains a career highlight. Through June 21, 2026, DeLuca has compiled career MLB statistics of a .246 batting average, 12 home runs, and 63 runs batted in across his time with both organizations.
Jonathan Davis DeLuca Career Wins
DeLuca’s professional career has been marked by consistent advancement through the minor leagues and productive seasons at the MLB level. His statistical profile reflects a player who has contributed meaningfully at each level of competition.
Major League Baseball Highlights
At the MLB level, DeLuca has appeared in parts of three seasons with the Dodgers and Rays through mid-2026. His career batting average of .246 reflects solid contact ability. He has accumulated 12 home runs and 63 runs batted in across his big league career. His most productive MLB season came in 2024 with Tampa Bay, where he logged 107 appearances and contributed 16 stolen bases while providing versatility across the outfield.
Minor League Career Notes
DeLuca established himself as a power threat during his minor league development. His 2021 season between Single-A and High-A produced 22 home runs and 64 RBI in 101 games. The following year, he hit 25 home runs with 71 RBI between Double-A Tulsa and High-A Great Lakes. His consistent ability to hit for power while maintaining solid batting averages positioned him as a valuable trade asset.
| Competition Level | Games | Batting Average | Home Runs | Runs Batted In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (Career through June 21, 2026) | 160 | .246 | 12 | 63 |
| Minor League Peak Seasons | 101–198 | .260–.294 | 22–25 | 53–71 |
Family
Personal Life
DeLuca was born on July 10, 1998, making him 27 years old as of 2025. He is an American citizen and grew up in Agoura Hills, California, where he attended Agoura High School. Information regarding his family, spouse, or children has not been made publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
DeLuca began the 2025 season with strong early production, appearing in nine games for the Rays and batting an impressive .435 with one RBI and four stolen bases. His hot start suggested he was positioned for a significant role in Tampa Bay’s outfield rotation. However, his season encountered a setback when he was placed on the injured list on April 8, 2025, due to a right shoulder strain.
The injury proved to be more serious than initially anticipated. DeLuca was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 27, 2025, which ruled him out for an extended period. He was finally activated from the injured list on July 25, 2025, returning to the Rays lineup after nearly four months of recovery. Upon his return, he appeared in 20 games and hit .333 with a .356 on-base percentage and a .456 slugging percentage, adding four RBI and six stolen bases in a shortened sample size.
Unfortunately, DeLuca’s injury luck did not improve as the season progressed. On August 8, 2025, he was placed back on the injured list due to a left hamstring strain. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on September 13, 2025, which officially ended his season. The hamstring injury represented a second significant injury in the same campaign, limiting him to just 29 total appearances in 2025. Despite the challenging season, his performance upon each return suggested he could contribute at a high level when healthy, leaving the Rays optimistic about his recovery heading into 2026.