Nicky Delmonico

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #12 prospect in 2014
  When the Brewers shopped around veteran reliever Francisco Rodriguez before the July 31 trade deadline in 2013, the Orioles showed immediate interest. The Brewers targeted Delmonico, who played a position of need in the farm system, but originally were told he was not available. When other teams joined in the bidding, Baltimore relented and offered Delmonico, whom the Brewers targeted because he bats lefthanded. However, he struggled at the plate after being assigned to high Class A Brevard County before an elbow injury stopped his season there after 21 games. The son of former Tennessee coach Rod, Delmonico has a strong, sturdy frame and shows an advanced approach and feel for hitting, working counts and recognizing breaking balls. Originally signed for $1.525 million, Delmonico has budding power but at times gets long with his swing. His offense will be his calling card, but some question whether he can stay at third base. He has had back and knee injuries, as well as missing time with a concussion in 2013. He played both first and second base during his pro debut in the Orioles system in 2012. Delmonico doesn't have the hands or footwork to play second, but the Brewers think he has enough quickness and range to stick at third, and he has the arm strength to have considered catching in high school. If he can stay healthy, which has been an issue thus far, Delmonico figures to use his bat to eventually get to the big leagues as a corner infielder.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #4 prospect in 2013
  As the son of former college coach Rod and brother of former Dodgers farmhand Tony, Nick grew up around the game. A disappointing high school senior season (caused in part by back problems) dropped him to the sixth round of the 2011 draft, though he signed for $1.525 million. Named MVP of the low Class A South Atlantic League all-star game in June, he suffered a slight tear in his left knee a week later that sidelined him for the balance of the 2012 season. Delmonico looks the part with a big, strong frame. His baseball IQ is evident with his advanced approach and feel for hitting. He recognizes breaking pitches and works counts. He gets good loft and projects to have average power, though there's some length to his swing. Delmonico's bat will be his carrying tool, as his future position is in question. He played 57 games at first base and 31 at second in his pro debut, though he might fit best at third. He doesn't have the hands and feet to turn the double play, but he should have enough first-step quickness for the hot corner. He's a below-average runner with a solid arm. Though his development has been slowed by injuries, Delmonico is advanced enough to handle a high Class A assignment in 2013. His ceiling is a first-division corner infielder.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #6 prospect in 2012
  Delmonico comes from a baseball family, with his father Rod coaching at Tennessee for 18 seasons until 2007 and his brother Tony playing in the Dodgers system. Nicky was viewed as a potential first-round pick heading into 2011, but his disappointing spring with the bat (in part because of a back injury) and his commitment to Georgia drove him down to the sixth round. The Orioles signed him at the deadline for $1.525 million. Delmonico went to instructional league and impressed Baltimore with his pure lefthanded swing. He doesn't have great bat speed but has such a good feel for hitting that he'll learn which pitches he can attack and should have better than average power. While some scouts think he has the tools to move behind the plate, as his brother did as a pro, Delmonico has no interest in catching and will play an infield corner. He has plenty of arm for third base, but the question will be his range. He's a below-average runner. The Orioles may challenge Delmonico with a low Class A assignment to open his pro career, though they believe he may struggle there at first. But they like his makeup and think he'll develop into an impact bat.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: As the son of former college coach Rod and brother of former Dodgers farmhand Tony, Nick grew up around the game. A disappointing high school senior season (caused in part by back problems) dropped him to the sixth round of the 2011 draft, though he signed for $1.525 million. Named MVP of the low Class A South Atlantic League all-star game in June, he suffered a slight tear in his left knee a week later that sidelined him for the balance of the 2012 season. Scouting Report: Delmonico looks the part with a big, strong frame. His baseball IQ is evident with his advanced approach and feel for hitting. He recognizes breaking pitches and works counts. He gets good loft and projects to have average power, though there's some length to his swing. Delmonico's bat will be his carrying tool, as his future position is in question. He played 57 games at first base and 31 at second in his pro debut, though he might fit best at third. He doesn't have the hands and feet to turn the double play, but he should have enough first-step quickness for the hot corner. He's a below-average runner with a solid arm. The Future: Though his development has been slowed by injuries, Delmonico is advanced enough to handle a high Class A assignment in 2013. His ceiling is a first-division corner infielder.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Delmonico comes from a baseball family, with his father Rod coaching at Tennessee for 18 seasons until 2007 and his brother Tony playing in the Dodgers system. Nicky was viewed as a potential first-round pick heading into 2011, but his disappointing spring with the bat (in part because of a back injury) and his commitment to Georgia drove him down to the sixth round. The Orioles signed him at the deadline for $1.525 million. Scouting Report: While he signed too late for a minor league assignment, Delmonico did go to instructional league and impressed Baltimore with his pure lefthanded swing. He doesn't have great bat speed but has such a good feel for hitting that he'll learn which pitches he can attack and should have better than average power. While some scouts think he has the tools to move behind the plate, as his brother did as a pro, Delmonico has no interest in catching and will play an infield corner. He has plenty of arm for third base, but the question will be his range. He's a below-average runner. The Future: The Orioles may challenge Delmonico with a low Class A assignment to open his pro career, though they believe he may struggle there at first. But they like his makeup and think he'll develop into an impact bat.