Manny Delcarmen

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #8 prospect in 2006
  Delcarmen was one of the system's top starting pitching prospects before requiring Tommy John surgery in May 2003. He remained in the rotation when he came back in 2004, but switched to the bullpen in the Arizona Fall League after the season. He rocketed to Boston in his new role last year, though he was used sparingly in his seven weeks in the majors. Delcarmen regularly throws 94-95 mph and tops out at 97 as a reliever. His fastball explodes through the zone, and he also can strike hitters out with his hammer curveball. He has the demeanor and the resilient arm to handle relief. His delivery gets out of whack too easily, leading to problems with his command and the consistency of his pitches. He rarely had his standout curve in the majors, forcing him to rely on his decent changeup as his second pitch. Delcarmen profiles as a set-up man, a commodity the Red Sox desperately needed in 2005. Their offseason moves, however, increased the chances Delcarmen will open 2006 in Triple-A.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #11 prospect in 2005
  Delcarmen was headed for a breakthrough 2003 until he blew out his elbow throwing a changeup in his fourth outing of the season. He had Tommy John surgery that May and returned to the mound 12 months later. His arm strength already has come back, as Delcarmen threw 92-94 mph during the season and topped out at 97 in the Arizona Fall League. There's no consensus on who owns the best curveball among Boston farmhands, but Delcarmen gets the most support. His changeup improved after he switched grips in 2003. He throws a lot of strikes for a power pitcher. Delcarmen can make a claim to having the best pure stuff in the system, but he's still learning how to pitch. His curveball can be very good but it's also inconsistent. His fastball has more velocity than life and isn't always difficult to hit. Relearning his delivery after his surgery will take some more time. Delcarmen should be at full strength in 2005, and the Red Sox would like to push him to Double-A. He can be unhittable in short stints, so his future may lie in the bullpen.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #10 prospect in 2004
  Delcarmen entered 2003 with the highest ceiling of any Red Sox pitching prospect. He tied a career high with 11 strikeouts in his second start and was improving rapidly, pushing for a promotion to Double-A by the end of April. Then he blew out his elbow throwing a changeup in his fourth outing and had Tommy John surgery in May. Delcarmen always showed arm strength as a pro, regularly hitting 92-94 mph. He excited the Red Sox by making the transition from thrower to pitcher in high Class A. He improved his fastball command, delivery and mental approach. He made the most strides with his changeup, showing a willingness to throw it after finding a new grip. His curveball already was a plus pitch at times. He has worked diligently in rehabilitation, turning himself into a better athlete. Reconstructive elbow surgery will cost Delcarmen critical development time. Boston won't know if his stuff will bounce back until 2005, though he will return to the mound in June. If he can regain his form, he can be a front-of-the-rotation starter.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #6 prospect in 2003
  The first inner-city Boston high schooler drafted since 1966, Delcarmen has the highest ceiling of any player in the system. As a result, the Red Sox are handling him carefully. After he threw 136 innings while being kept on strict pitch counts in 2002, he was told to skip instructional league and not do any throwing in the offseason. Delcarmen has a 92-94 mph fastball that can touch 95-96. He also has a curveball that is a plus pitch at times. He's a tough competitor who, while not completely polished, is fairly advanced considering his age and background. Convincing Delcarmen that he needs to throw his changeup has been a challenge. He'd rather go after hitters with his fastball, an approach that isn't going to work at the higher levels. He sometimes slows down his arm speed when he throws his changeup, letting hitters know what's coming. In 2003, Delcarmen will be part of a high Class A rotation that also will include Phil Dumatrait. Delcarmen is at least 21⁄2 years from Boston.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #4 prospect in 2002
  For obvious reasons, the Red Sox scout New England heavily. Their best local prospect is Delcarmen, a Dominican who was the first innercity Boston player drafted in three decades. The Padres tried to get him when Boston was looking to foist Carl Everett on another club this winter, so the Red Sox swung a deal with the Rangers instead. Delcarmen has the potential for two plus pitches and a third that should be average. He has the best fastball in the system, regularly throwing 92-94 mph and reaching 95-96. He also has a hard breaking ball and a decent changeup. He shows poise and has an understanding of how to mix his pitches. Though he dominated GCL hitters, Delcarmen is still a long way from the major leagues. He'll have to throw more strikes as he makes the climb, and he'll also need to get more consistent with his breaking ball and changeup. Delcarmen has as high a ceiling as any pitcher in the system, including Seung Song and Rene Miniel, who rank ahead of him right now. He should head to low Class A in 2002.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #15 prospect in 2001
  Boston coveted Rhode Island high school outfielder Rocco Baldelli with its 2000 first-round pick, but the Devil Rays took him sixth overall. The Red Sox got their annual New England fix in the second round, when it drafted Delcarmen, a Dominican from inner-city Boston. He has impressive command of a low-90s fastball and a hard slider, and he should add more velocity as his skinny 6-foot-3 frame fills out. Though he can throw strikes with his two best pitches, Delcarmen still is extremely raw and isn't anywhere close to being a finished product. He'll need to develop a changeup and a feel for pitching. Signed to a 2001 contract, he would be best served by making his pro debut in short-season ball.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Florida Complex League #4 prospect in 2001
  Boston's second-round pick in the 2000 draft signed too late to play last year, so Delcarmen made his pro debut in the GCL this season. He impressed managers with his stuff, live arm, ability to mix his pitches and mound demeanor. "He's poised, he's confident and he's got a very high ceiling," Rangers manager Carlos Subero said. Delcarmen's fastball normally was clocked from 92-93 mph and reached 95 mph on occasion. He complemented it with an above-average curveball.

• December, 2000 Scouting Report
  Boston's second-round pick in the 2000 draft signed too late to play last year, so Delcarmen made his pro debut in the GCL this season. He impressed managers with his stuff, live arm, ability to mix his pitches and mound demeanor. "He's poised, he's confident and he's got a very high ceiling," Rangers manager Carlos Subero said. Delcarmen's fastball normally was clocked from 92-93 mph and reached 95 mph on occasion. He complemented it with an above-average curveball.