White Sox Nicky Delmonico: Deep league waiver wire add?
By Brad Kelly
Nick Delmonico is hitting the ball well for the White Sox. But, can the rookie be trusted as a waiver wire add moving forward?
Not every MLB player’s path to the show is picture perfect. In a game of failure, there are often twists and turns that each professional player wonders down to get to the big leagues. The White Sox’ Nicky Delmonico is no different. After being drafted as a sixth-rounder in 2011, to then being suspended for amphetamines, no one knew if he would make it.
Yet, here he is with the White Sox and setting the franchise record for reaching base 13 games straight. But, is he worth a look off the waiver wire?
Raw talent has never been the question with Delmonico. The Orioles decided to pay him well above what was expected for a sixth-rounder, as the only reason he was not selected higher was that of what was perceived as a strong commitment to college.
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The Orioles then dealt him to the Brewers in 2013 for Francisco Rodriguez. The Brewers thought they had finally found an upside prospect at the hot corner, but that is when his transgressions got the best of him. He was suspended for using Adderall, a drug he previously had an exemption for.
Soon thereafter, Delmonico had the wake-up call he needed, and the White Sox were more than willing to give him a shot. He regained his footing in 2015 with Chicago, and then had his best career minor league season in 2016, where he posted a .279/17 HR/61 RBI/.837 OPS line between AA and AAA.
Delmonico is still only 25-years-old, and he once again did well in the minors this season. Before his promotion in August, he carried a .262/12 HR/45 RBI/.768 OPS line over 99 games. While he lacks the huge prospect seasons that fantasy owners would like to see, he has found solid success thanks to his solid eye at the plate and raw power.
Outside of the franchise best 13 games on base streak, Delmonico has posted a .390/2 HR/5 RBI/1.042 OPS line over the last 14 games. The White Sox are slotting him right in the cleanup spot as well, offering him the chance to build his counting stats with Jose Abreu and company in front of him.
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Delmonico is not going to steal any bases, nor be an over .300 hitter for the rest of the season. But, the lefty swing plays great at Guaranteed Rate field and his lineup spot helps build his fantasy stock. Armed with raw power and a good eye at the plate, fantasy owners should be willing to take a chance on a potential solid under the radar addition for the stretch run.