Talk about going 3-for-3.
The Delmonico family has produced a minor league catcher (oldest son, Tony, who is currently with the Dodgers' High Single-A affiliate); a catcher at Georgia (middle son, Joey, who played one season at the juco level); and then there's the youngest of the trio, Nicky, who may wind up being the home run of the bunch.
Like his two older brothers, Nick will make the move from shortstop to catcher full time this season for Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.) High School, and by most accounts he has the potential to go in the first round of the 2011 MLB draft.
"He really has an advanced feel for the game," says an American League scout. "How he does with the move behind the plate, though, will tell a lot. His bat will be a plus if he plays behind the plate, although he'd have to be much more consistent if he were to stay at shortstop or as a corner infielder. But this kid could make a really smooth transition to the pro game."
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Keith Law
Keith Law joined ESPN.com in June 2006 as the lead baseball analyst for Scouts Inc., covering the majors, minors and amateurs. Before joining ESPN, Law spent 4½ years with the Toronto Blue Jays as a special assistant to the general manager, and was previously a writer for Baseball Prospectus. He graduated from Harvard College and holds an MBA from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon.
Follow Keith on Twitter: @Keithlaw
Jason A. Churchill
Jason A. Churchill is the executive editor at ProspectInsider.com, covering major league baseball with an eye toward scouting and player development since 2006.
Christopher Crawford
The founder and executive editor of MLB Draft Insider. He can be followed on Twitter @crawfordchrisv
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