Well, I started playing FE5 the other day, and I have to say that Leif is loathed by the RNG
Here's his stats at level 13 unpremoted
I'm playing on elite mode btw, not sure if that matters.
I think he only procced STR once out of 12 level ups, and defense is just as badly off.
Bear in mind that Leif is practically your ONLY heavy hitter upon reaching chapter 4.
It's growths like these that make me miss Roy, at least he had decent growths.