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White Sox: How Successful Can Nicky Delmonico Be Next Season?

By Etheria Modacure

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 27: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox (R) and Rymer Liriano #48 (L) dunks Nicky Delmonico #30 after he hit a walkoff two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the tenth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 27, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago White Sox won 6-4. (Photo by Jon Durr/Ge
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 27: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox (R) and Rymer Liriano #48 (L) dunks Nicky Delmonico #30 after he hit a walkoff two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the tenth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 27, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago White Sox won 6-4. (Photo by Jon Durr/Ge /
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White Sox outfielder had surprising start to major league career in 2017. Can he follow up his first season with more success in 2018?

Chicago White Sox outfielder Nicky Delmonico had a solid start to his major league career this past season. Delmonico had an unusual path to the majors, but he was able to overcome early adversity to put himself in consideration for starting next year for the Sox.

The Sox don’t have much outfield depth entering 2018. Delmonico, who started 25 games in left field in 2017, could be the team’s Opening Day outfielder next season. Delmonico finished his first major league season with a .262/.373/.482 slash line to go along with nine home runs and 23 RBIs. The 25-year-old appeared in 43 games for the Sox last season.

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Delmonico could factor into the Sox plans for 2018 as the team most likely won’t begin next season with Eloy Jimenez as their left fielder. With the Sox executing a patient approach to their current rebuild, Delmonico should get some adequate playing time in left field to start 2018. With the Sox lack of current outfield depth, its Delmonico who will benefit greatly from this.

The Sox will need to see some improvements from Delmonico entering next season, however. Despite sporting a .263 batting average, Delmonico didn’t provide much defensive value for the team. His dWAR for 2017 was -0.3 while he sported an oWAR of 1.2.

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Entering the 2018 season, Delmonico will need to provide the Sox with more defensive value. If Delmonico wants to be successful next season, he will also need to have similar success at the plate as he did in 2017. Delmonico will potentially play more games than he did last season, and he will have to avoid a sophomore slump offensively.

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