Delgado has earned All-Star recognition in each of two seasons after signing for $100,000 out of Venezuela in 2021. He ranked second in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League with a .504 on-base percentage and third with 34 steals during his 2022 pro debut. He came to the United States last summer and led the Rookie-level Florida Complex League with 54 runs and 36 steals while finishing fourth with eight homers. He’d yet to make his 2024 debut when he was sent to the Pirates as the player to be named later in the JT Brubaker deal.
A switch-hitter, Delgado is equally skilled from both sides of the plate and batted .301/.459/.495 in his first two years as a pro. With an extremely disciplined approach and good feel for the barrel, he rarely swings and misses or chases pitches out of the zone. Despite his FCL slugging exploits, he's small and doesn't hit the ball hard or in the air particularly often, so he'll probably max out at 10-15 homers per season.
Similarly, his lofty steal totals (70 in 85 attempts over 101 games through two years) are more the result of his instincts than his average speed. He fits best at second base, where his average range and fringy arm strength work better than at shortstop. He reminds some club officials of a smaller and more patient version of Thairo Estrada, who began his career with the Yankees before carving out a niche with the Giants.
Signed for $100,000 out of Venezuela in 2021, Delgado tore up the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League in his 2022 pro debut, batting .310/.504/.506 while ranking second in on-base percentage and third with 34 steals. He continued to thrive when he came to the United States this summer, topping the Rookie-level Florida Complex League with 54 runs and 36 steals and placing fourth with eight homers.
A switch-hitter proficient from both sides of the plate, Delgado employs an extremely patient approach. He looks to pull the ball and makes consistent contact with ease. Despite his 2023 production, he's more hitter than slugger and generates a lot of ground-ball contact, so he projects to hit no more than 12-15 homers per season.
Though Delgado stole 70 bases in 85 attempts in 101 games during his first two years as a pro, that's more a testament to his savvy than his speed, which is average. He has split time between second base and shortstop and is much better suited for the keystone because of his fringy arm strength. He could become a solid defender at second base with dependable hands and good instincts.
