Delmonico makes a name for himself with White Sox
Before the start of the 2017 season, when tracking top prospects suddenly became a necessary exercise for Chicago White Sox fans, Nicky Delmonico was nowhere to be found.
Baseball America's Top 30 Sox players list was released on the eve of spring training and Delmonico failed to make the cut.
Opening the year with Class AAA Charlotte, he was overshadowed by a list of higher rated teammates that included Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Zack Burdi and Carson Fulmer.
"A year ago at this time, no one was really talking about Nicky Delmonico," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said.
On Sunday, Delmonico injured his left shoulder in an outfield collision with shortstop Tyler Saladino. However long Delmonico is sidelined, he still is projected to be the White Sox's left fielder.
Much has changed for Delmonico, a once promising prospect in the Baltimore Orioles' system before his career was derailed by a 50-game suspension for amphetamine usage.
Delmonico was taking Adderall for his attention-deficit disorder when he failed a drug test, and he was released by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Former Sox assistant GM Buddy Bell knew Delmonico and his father, Rod, who was the University of Tennessee's head coach for 18 seasons.
That led to a minor-league contract with the Sox in February of 2015, and Delmonico hit well enough at Class AA Birmingham and Charlotte to earn a promotion to the major leagues last August after Willy Garcia landed on the disabled list with a concussion.
Melky Cabrera was traded to the Kansas City Royals right before Delmonico arrived, opening a spot in left field.
A third baseman coming up, Delmonico played 13 games in left field for Charlotte before joining the White Sox and ultimately replacing Cabrera.
While he still needs defensive polish as an outfielder, Delmonico quickly made a name for himself with the bat.
The left-handed hitter reached base safely in his first 13 games, a franchise record.
In 43 games with the Sox, the 25-year-old Delmonico posted a .262/.373/.482 slash line with 9 home runs and 23 RBI.
Manager Rick Renteria has been a big Delmonico fan since he arrived on the South Side late last season.
"A very driven young man who has been through a lot, who has persevered," Renteria said. "He's a fighter, in the box on the field, he's always working to make sure he's not selling himself short and the team short. That's who he is. Some people succumb to it, some pick themselves up and keep themselves going."
Delmonico kept pushing through the off-season and reported to training camp far from satisfied with his success from last season.
"I'm just trying to do anything to get better," Delmonico said. "Right now, I'm trying to get better reads in the outfield and become a better outfielder and just try to do anything I can to help the team."