Nicholas John Delmonico (born July 12, 1992) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and current hitting coach of the Birmingham Barons, the Double–A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the White Sox from 2017 to 2020.
| Nicky Delmonico | |
|---|---|
 Delmonico batting for the Chicago White Sox in spring training in 2017 | |
| Outfielder / First baseman | |
| Born: July 12, 1992 Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 1, 2017, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 2, 2020, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .224 |
| Home runs | 18 |
| Runs batted in | 57 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Playing career
editDelmonico attended Farragut High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. In the summer of 2010, he played for the United States national baseball team in the 2010 World Junior Baseball Championship.[1]
Baltimore Orioles
editThe Baltimore Orioles selected Delmonico in the sixth round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. He broke a commitment to the University of Georgia by signing with the Orioles for a $1,525,000 signing bonus.[2] He did not attend college.
Delmonico played for the Delmarva Shorebirds of the Single–A South Atlantic League in 2012. He played in the league's all-star game and was named the most valuable player.[3] He began the 2013 season with the Frederick Keys of the High–A Carolina League.
Milwaukee Brewers
editOn July 7, 2013, the Orioles traded Delmonico to the Milwaukee Brewers for Francisco Rodríguez.[4][5]
In 2014, the Brewers assigned Delmonico to the Brevard County Manatees of the High–A Florida State League. Delmonico tested positive for Adderall in July 2014, and was suspended for 50 games. He had tried to stop using the medication, which he was prescribed for attention deficit disorder, but became addicted and failed to renew his exemption for Adderall from the drug testing policy.[6][7] He asked the Brewers for his release, initially not intending to continue playing baseball.[8]
Chicago White Sox
editThe Brewers released Delmonico in February 2015, and he signed with the Chicago White Sox.[9] He started the season with the Kannapolis Intimidators of the South Atlantic League and was promoted to the Birmingham Barons of the Double–A Southern League.[10] After starting the 2016 season with Birmingham, and was promoted to the Charlotte Knights of the Triple–A International League in May.[11] He returned to Charlotte in 2017.[12]
The White Sox promoted Delmonico to the major leagues for the first time on August 1, 2017.[13] He debuted that day and recorded his first major league hit, off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ryan Tepera.[14] On August 3, 2017, Delmonico hit his first career MLB home run against Rick Porcello of the Boston Red Sox.[15] Delmonico reached base in each of his first 13 games, and hit six home runs in his first 19 games.
On August 18, 2017, DelMonico hit an inside the park home run against the Texas Rangers.[16] On September 27, Delmonico hit a walk-off game winning two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels. The home run allowed the Minnesota Twins to clinch a playoff spot.
After starting the 2019 season in the minor leagues, Delmonico suffered a torn labrum and underwent season-ending surgery on June 4.[17] On June 10, 2019, Delmonico was released by the White Sox.[18]
On December 16, 2019, Delmonico signed a minor league contract to return to the White Sox organization and was invited to spring training.[19] Delmonico made the Opening Day roster for the White Sox in 2020. In 6 games for Chicago, he went 3–for–20 (.150) with three RBI. He was designated for assignment on August 28, 2020, following the acquisition of Jarrod Dyson.[20] He became a free agent on November 2.[21]
Cincinnati Reds
editOn February 3, 2021, Delmonico signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization and was invited to Spring Training.[22] Delmonico slashed .221/.312/.382 in 19 games for the Triple-A Louisville Bats before he was released on June 1.[23]
Coaching career
editOn February 2, 2022, Delmonico was named as the hitting coach for the Winston-Salem Dash, the High-A Chicago White Sox affiliate.[24]
In 2024, He was promoted to hitting coach for the Birmingham Barons the Double-A affiliate for the Chicago White Sox.
Personal life
editHe is the son of Rod Delmonico.[25] His two older brothers, Joey and Tony, are both baseball players.[26] Delmonico married Jessica Martin in October 2021.
References
edit- ^ Link, Dave. "Pfeifer, Delmonico on U18 roster". knoxnews.com. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- ^ Steve Melewski (August 16, 2011). "Steve Melewski: Nicky Delmonico on the phone call that convinced him to be an Oriole". Masnsports.com. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ Encina, Eduardo A. (June 19, 2012). "Delmarva's Nicky Delmonico wins MVP honors in South Atlantic League All-Star Game". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ "The Orioles acquired reliever Francisco Rodriguez from the Brewers | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. July 23, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ "Francisco Rodriguez traded to the Baltimore Orioles for INF Nick Delmonico". Brew Crew Ball. July 23, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ Haugh, David (August 22, 2017). "White Sox rookie sensation Nicky Delmonico beat addiction on way to majors". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ^ "Brewers minor leaguer gets 50-game drug suspension". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 28, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- ^ "Nick Delmonico takes advantage of fresh start with White Sox". March 26, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ^ "White Sox hope Nick Delmonico has learned from mistakes". CSN Chicago. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
- ^ "Birmingham Barons 3B Nicky Delmonico missed the grind". al.com. July 24, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- ^ "Charlotte Knights' Nicky Delmonico holding onto big-league dreams". Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ^ "Charlotte 3B Nick Delmonico could provide White Sox an 'interesting' option". April 30, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ^ Kane, Colleen. "Matt Davidson exits with bruised wrist in White Sox' 8-4 loss". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- ^ "Former Farragut star gets hit in MLB debut". knoxnews.com. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- ^ Kane, Colleen. "Nicky Delmonico's first Fenway experience as player includes 1st career home run". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- ^ "Nicky Delmonico hits an inside-the-park home run (5) on a line drive to shallow right field".
- ^ Adams, Steve (June 4, 2019). "Nicky Delmonico Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ "White Sox call up Odrisamer Despaigne to start against the Nationals and release Nicky Delmonico". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Pope, Lamond. "Nicky Delmonico returning to White Sox spring training camp as a non-roster invitee". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- ^ Adams, Steve (August 28, 2020). "White Sox Designate Nicky Delmonico For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ "Full List of 2020-2021 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ^ Adams, Steve (February 3, 2021). "Reds Sign Nicky Delmonico". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ Adams, Steve (June 1, 2021). "Reds Release Nicky Delmonico, Cheslor Cuthbert". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ "White Sox announce 2022 player development staff". MLB.com (Press release). February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ "Baltimore Orioles draft Farragut's Nicky Delmonico » Knoxville News Sentinel". Knoxnews.com. December 5, 2013. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ Smithey, Jesse (June 7, 2011). "Nicky Delmonico awaiting another big moment". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)