Delmonico makes move to catcher

The experiment seems to be working for Tony Delmonico.

The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted the former Farragut High School star in the sixth round in 2008 as a second baseman. The son of former Tennessee coach Rod Delmonico, started his college career with the Vols but finished at Florida State after his father was let go after the 2007 season following 18 seasons.

By mutual agreement, the Dodgers moved the 22-year-old to catcher after he batted .340 with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs in 35 games at Ogden in the short-season Pioneer League last year.

“It was something entertained by both parties,” said Delmonico, who is playing for the Class A Great Lakes Loons of Midland, Mich., in the Midwest League. “My dad and the Dodgers, but my dad really pressed it.”

Rod Delmonico realized his son would be among a multitude of infield prospects in the Dodgers’ organization. His odds would be better as a catcher.

The former Florida State assistant recalled how Seminoles third baseman Kevin Cash, who at 6-0 and 200 pounds has virtually the identical frame at his son, was converted into a catcher. Cash has been in the big leagues for the past seven years most recently with the New York Yankees. But he won a World Series ring with the Boston Red Sox.

Delmonico wasn’t a complete stranger when it came to catching. He caught as a youngster on travel teams.

“Maybe in high school in intrasquad games,” he recalled. “It wasn’t brand new to me.”

The experiment began last fall at instructional ball.

“They were going to put me behind the plate for a week to please my dad,” Delmonico said. “I did a little bit better than they expected and a little bit better than I expected. They told me I was done at second base. That’s how it got started.”

The Dodgers have had a history of converting athletes into catchers. Two-time all-star Russell Martin started as a third baseman.

Lucas May, who represented the Chattanooga Lookouts in the Southern League All-Star Game, is an ex-shortstop. The Dodgers traded Carlos Santana, a converted outfielder, to Cleveland last year for corner infielder Casey Blake and the catcher became the Indians’ No. 1 prospect.

Delmonico is making progress.

“Tony has improved a lot during the season,” Los Angeles roving catching instructor Travis Barbary said. “It’s taken a lot of work, but you can see it paying off.”

And people are noticing. Delmonico was selected to start for the Eastern Division in the Midwest League All-Star Game last month.

He had thrown out 17 of 60 runners attempting to steal (28.3 percent), which is slightly below average. He has been charged with eight errors and 10 passed balls.

“It’s his first full season and he’s learning a new position,” Great Lakes manager Juan Bustabad said. “But Tony is a gamer and he plays hard. He has a strong arm and quick release.”

Delmonico’s weakness is blocking balls in the dirt to his left, according to Bustabad.

“He has improved but at times he’ll have one or two bad games,” Bustabad said. “But he is doing a lot better than he did at the beginning of the season. You have to give him credit for all the hard work. It’s not easy. You have all the bumps and bruises. There is a lot to learn. It’s a lot of hard work and so far so good.”

Delmonico remains an offensive weapon. He has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games to raise his average to .264 with 18 doubles, two triples, six homers and 32 RBIs. That’s impressive considering the wear and tear on his legs and going through the grind of his first full season of pro ball.

“We all know he can hit,” Bustabad said. “It’s just a matter of getting him to where he is comfortable behind the plate on a daily basis.”

Bustabad pencils Delmonico in the lineup as the Loons’ designated hitter when he doesn’t catch. He usually bats third or fifth in the lineup.

“When I had my concussion a couple of weeks ago, I was out for 10 games and that’s the only games I’ve missed,” Delmonico said. “At that time I was the only guy, who hadn’t had a day off.”

Catcher’s gear is considered the “tools of ignorance.”

Foul tips can feel like bullets no matter how thick the padding. There is no safety equipment to protect a catcher from burly runners rounding third base and headed home at full steam.

Delmonico knows what the collision feels like when you block the plate.

“We were playing Lansing, the Toronto Blue Jays’ affiliate,” Delmonico said. “I got run over at the plate. That’s all I remember until waking up in the back of the clubhouse and being taken (to the hospital) for a CAT Scan.”

Delmonico is learning to call a smart game and get the best out of his pitching staff. It’s just a matter of experience,

“I think I’m calling the games really well,” he said. “My flexibility still isn’t where I want it to be. My range on blocking some balls needs to be better but basically it’s repetitions. That’s what I need right now day in and day out.”

Nick Gates may be reached at 865-342-6281.