Chicago White Sox: Nicky Delmonico shows progress

Even though, times are tough right now for sports fans around the world. There is more to look forward to as a Chicago White Sox fan than ever because this is a great team.

The number of players that can break out into big roles, when Opening Day hits, keep growing. One Chicago White Sox player in particular, Nicky Delmonico, has been taking advantage of spring training and putting up some good numbers.

Delmonico has been looking great in his return to the ballclub, but his progress has been under-the-radar amongst talking points concerning the Chicago White Sox. He’s had better showings out there at the plate, which makes him the White Sox’s best-kept secrets.

Last season, it turns out he would be sent back down, but not before a heroic at-bat. Delmonico only played 21 games in the majors, but he had a night where he was the story. Delmonico hit a walk-off three-run homer to hand the White Sox the win, in the South Side against the Boston Red Sox.

It was a moment where endless Gatorade poured and the team rallied around him with cheers. Unfortunately, that was the only shining moment for the left fielder. His disappointing slash line of .206/.265/.286 sent him down to Triple-A.

After being put on the injured list by the Charlotte Knights, Delmonico was released by the White Sox. In the summer, his career seemed to be over but the White Sox decided to give him another shot and sign him to a minor league contract with a Spring Training invite. In Spring Training, Delmonico has been showing that he has more consistency in his at-bats and has a .752 OPS.

There is still a hurdle for Delmonico to jump over this season because there are a few factors coming in between him and the outfield. The chances of an everyday role for him are very slim, but it’s not necessarily a negative because he performs better in trends.

This spring he has been more efficient getting on base, which could make him a great bench option during the regular season. That kind of role in the organization could be useful for the team and he could have more heroic nights in Guaranteed Rate Field.