How Delmonico found his calling as a Minor League coach

This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO -- Nicky Delmonico still takes his rips during batting practice even after moving from White Sox player to Minor League hitting coach within their organization during the 2022 season.

The left-handed hitter characterizes his present swing as “not bad.” But at the young age of 31, he has no interest in making an on-field comeback. Nor is Delmonico really thinking about coaching at the highest level of competition.

“For the first time in my career, I’m not chasing the big leagues,” Delmonico told me during an interview at the close of 2023 Arizona Fall League action. “I’m in a great spot to help kids. I feel like this is my calling. I have my dream job. I get to motivate, I get to teach, I get to help kids through the grind. So, right now, I’m very happy. I have no desire for the next level. I’m in the game and get to teach and motivate these guys.”

Delmonico previously served as the hitting coach for High-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham following 158 games and 574 plate appearances with the White Sox, from 2017-20. He also worked on the Glendale Desert Dogs’ staff during the '23 AFL.

A 2024 coaching assignment for Delmonico has yet to be announced, but he has a good working relationship with general manager Chris Getz. Delmonico has just as strong of a bond with the young hitters in the Minors -- who, in some cases, are only seven or eight years younger than their leader.

“He’s great. He’s good as a coach, but he’s [also] a good person,” said Colson Montgomery, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 17 overall, per MLB Pipeline, of working with Delmonico. “I think of him as one of my best buds but from a coach, he just gives you such a professional outline of what to look for in a pitcher and kind of approach. If this is my situation, this is what I’m going to do.

“It’s easier to relate and he’s been through it. He knows there are days where you are not going to feel the best and he’s easy to talk to. There are days where I’m not feeling it or something is off, and he always has something for you to try out … I prefer a younger coach in a sense, especially since he was in the league, and he was playing not too long ago.”

Baseball has been a lifelong experience for Delmonico, whose dad, Rod, was the head baseball coach for the University of Tennessee from 1990-2007. Nicky's coaching with the White Sox took root during the pandemic-shortened campaign of '20, on a day when Delmonico hit two home runs during a game at the alternate site.

Getz, who was then assistant general manager/player development, told Delmonico he was going to be designated for assignment after the effort, and Delmonico countered with a statement to Getz: “You owe me a coaching job.”

“I was just saying that for a joke,” a smiling Delmonico said. “But I felt like I was able to have that relationship where I could speak candidly, where he understood me as a player.

“He cared a lot about me. He cares a lot about people, which is really cool to see. Building this organization, he’s the perfect guy on top. He understands what it takes to win. He’s passionate.”

There were on-field accomplishments of note for Delmonico, although he would have liked to do more than his .696 OPS and 18 home runs if his body had allowed. Instead, he now gets his swings in batting practice.

“I’ve always loved hitting,” Delmonico said. “As long as my body can handle swinging, I’m still going to hit. I’m watching video, and I try to come in and do it so I can maybe relate to the hitter better, show them this is what we are doing or feeling, and this is how you get your direction. Going to a hitter’s mind and help him out.

“My dad said everything I went through allowed me to be a better coach. I knew my dad wanted the best, but I didn’t always listen. It was hard to get through to me. Now it’s helped me to get through to these young kids.”