Natanael Delgado
| AB | 1076 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .257 |
| OBP | .299 |
| SLG | .388 |
| HR | 20 |
- Full name Natanael Delgado
- Born 10/23/1995 in Los Cacaos, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 170 / Bats: L / Throws: L
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Delgado has moved one level at a time since signing with the Angels in 2012 for $280,000, debuting at 17 in the Arizona League in 2013 and making it to full-season ball in 2015 with low Class A Burlington. He continues to tease with plus raw power generated by strong hands, above-average bat speed and a smooth swing. Delgado's subpar approach at the plate has kept him from getting to that power in games, however, and he has hit just 12 home runs in his three pro seasons. That enticing raw power should emerge when he better uses his lower half. Delgado got better at controlling the strike zone in 2015, but there's still room for improvement because he struck out in 24 percent of his plate appearances. His body had gotten thicker in recent years, causing him to become a defensive liability, but in the past year his speed and flexibility have improved. He's limited to left field but no longer has to be pulled for a defensive replacement since adding the flexibility to his muscular frame. The Angels aren't yet ready to give up on Delgado, with a move to high Class A Inland Empire in 2016 being a good test. -
One of the more projectable power bats on the international market in 2012, Delgado signed with the Angels for $280,000. He debuted at age 17 in the Arizona League in 2013 and followed with a stop in the Pioneer League in 2014, making the Top 20 Prospect lists for both Rookie-level leagues. Delgado has gotten stronger and thicker since signing, giving him plus raw power but also reducing his speed and arm strength. He's now projected as a bat-only left fielder who will have to continue to hit to have value. He has struggled to stay healthy in his two pro seasons, being hit in the face with a pitch before his debut season and suffering a concussion late in 2014. Delgado has extremely strong hands and above-average bat speed, giving him power to all fields. He is very comfortable in the batter's box with a solid approach, and he handles lefthanders well. Delgado hasn't made much progress on defense and is a below-average runner, but he should be serviceable in left field. He's ready to move to full-season ball with an assignment to low Class A Burlington in 2015. -
A good scout can project, but it's hard to say with any certainty what a 16-year-old's body will look like once he has grown up. In Delgado's case, he's turned from a skinny right fielder to a thicker left fielder, but he still looks like the Angels could get a return on their $280,000 investment. The switch from right to left has happened because, while he's gotten physically stronger, Delgado's arm has gotten weaker. What once was a plus arm now grades average. He's a below-average runner who runs better once he gets going. The added weight and strength has paid off at the plate however, as Delgado's power has developed to go with an advanced approach and strong lefthanded swing that attracted the Angels. He shows pull power, and he's just as comfortable lining balls to the opposite-field power alley. Delgado has a simple stroke and good balance at the plate. He's advanced enough to compete for an assignment at low Class A Burlington for 2014.
Minor League Top Prospects
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The Angels went for one of the better power bats on the international market in 2012, bringing Delgado into the organization for $280,000. He has intrigued observers in the Rookie-level Arizona League and the PL during his two-year pro career with his plus raw power, but he's been slowed by injuries both years. Make no mistake about it: Delgado is a bat-only player and will probably always be so, but his power will keep earning him looks despite the other deficiencies in his game. He generates over-the-fence power from the left side with his very strong hands and can also hit to the gaps. He shows above-average bat speed and makes hard contact to the opposite field with a solid approach at the plate. He also handles lefthanders well. Defensively, Delgado is limited to left field and is a below-average runner. His progress in the field was stunted this year due to injuries, including a concussion that prematurely ended his season. -
The Angels generally aren?t big spenders in the international market, but the $280,000 bonus they gave to Delgado may be money well spent. Making his pro debut, he showed advanced hitting skills for his age and the ability to use all fields. He has a fluid lefty swing with good bat speed. While being more of a gap-to-gap hitter, a couple of impressive home runs later in the season demonstrated his emerging pull power, and he?ll add more pop as he grows stronger. He made adjustments against southpaws and actually hit for a higher average against them Delgado is definitely a bat-first player. He?s a below-average runner, and with at best an average arm he?ll be limited to left field, but he should be a capable defender there with more experience. AZL Angels manager Denny Hocking was quick to point out how Delgado matured during the season, filling a key role on the team that advanced to the league playoffs. ?For being 17, hitting in the three-hole in the Arizona League is amazing,? he said, ?and he really adapted to that role.?
