Collin DeLome

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Houston Astros #25 prospect in 2010
  The Astros had one of the worst drafts in recent baseball history in 2007. They gave up their first two choices as free agent compensation and failed to sign their third- or fourth-rounders. That left fifth-rounder DeLome as the earliest pick they signed. He's athletic and has an intriguing combination of above-average raw power and speed, yet he has an unrefined offensive approach for a 24-year-old. Houston wanted him to focus on developing his plate discipline in 2009, but it remains an area of concern. He's a free swinger, his stroke is long and he needs to do a better job of recognizing breaking balls. Though he runs well, DeLome lacks instincts on the bases and in the outfield. With his average arm, he fits best in left field. He figures to spend 2010 in Triple-A, where he'll have to show more discipline at the plate if he's to be anything more than an extra outfielder at the big league level.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #9 prospect in 2009
  DeLome was the highest-drafted Astro to sign in 2007, a dubious honor considering Houston didn't own first- or second-round picks and compounded that by failing to sign their third- and fourth-rounders. Signed for $135,000, he entered pro ball fairly raw but had an encouraging debut in the New York-Penn League, followed by 22 home runs in Class A ball last year. DeLome is a toolshed and has a great body that's lean and athletic. He shows good power from the left side and generates great bat speed. He also has great foot speed as well as good arm strength for a center fielder. In instructional league, he got down the line in 4.01 seconds on drag bunts. DeLome struggled to make enough contact in his first full season, and to tame his penchant for strikeouts he'll need to shorten an extremely long swing. He starts out with a twitch in his back elbow and then has difficulty checking his swing because he is so aggressive. If he quiets it down, he could start to go up the middle, but right now he's another in a long line of pull-happy young hitters. Scouts envision DeLome as a corner outfielder with legitimate power if he can tone down his swing and develop a better approach. He'll open back in high Class A and take the next step to Corpus Christi by midseason if he performs well in an extremely hitter-friendly environment.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #11 prospect in 2008
  The Astros' 2007 draft was a debacle, as they forfeited their first two choices as free-agent compensation for Carlos Lee and Woody Williams, then failed to sign the top two picks they held onto, third-rounder Derek Dietrich (now at Georgia Tech) and fourth-rounder Brett Eibner (now at Arkansas). That made fifth-rounder DeLome the highest selection they actually got under contract. Signed for $135,000, he was considered one of the best college athletes in the draft. A former middle infielder at a small-town Texas high school, DeLome was considered more raw than most collegians, but he surprised Houston by showing more polish than expected in his debut. He hit fastballs and lefthanders (.324 versus southpaws) better than the Astros' reports indicated he might. He'll still need time to develop but has the tools to become a well-rounded player. He has a compact swing and good balance, stays back on offspeed pitches and has the bat speed for at least average power. His ability to hit for average will be tied to how much progress he can make with his strike-zone discipline. He has above-average speed but lacks instincts in the outfield and will drop some catchable flyballs. Bothered by shoulder tendinitis in his debut, he played mostly left field and Houston may leave him there even though he has enough arm strength to play anywhere in the outfield. DeLome has the quickness to steal bases, but he's still figuring that part of the game out too. The Astros' conservative approach to promoting college players will be good for him, because he doesn't need to be rushed. He'll move up to high Class A in 2008.