JASON DELANEY

11/9/82; '05 12th; Boston College
R/R; 6-3, 210

Level
BA
OBP
SA
AB
2B
3B
HR
BB
K
SB
CS
2002 NCAA
.348
 
.464
181
15
0
2
18
17
 
 
2003 NCAA
.283
 
.462
173
11
4
4
15
26
 
 
2004 NCAA
.368
 
.574
209
14
1
9
30
28
 
 
2005 NCAA
.337
.418
.538
199
12
2
8
28
28
13
3
2005 A-
.213
.281
.254
197
8
0
0
19
33
2
2
2006 A
.300
.379
.432
456
27
3
9
56
79
5
5
2007 AA
.265
.370
.404
223
10
0
7
38
52
0
0
2007 A+
.340
.432
.536
250
16
3
9
38
52
2
1
2008 AAA
.255
.364
.337
98
6
1
0
17
25
0
1
2008 AA
.292
.403
.422
367
21
3
7
68
77
7
2

Delaney was a good but not outstanding hitter in college.  His power looked a little short for a corner OF, but he did show good plate discipline.  He looked like a fairly good sleeper pick, but just didn't hit at all in his first year, although his BB:K ratio at least wasn't bad.  The Pirates promoted him to Hickory anyway, and his 2006 season started off much the same for the first couple weeks.  He caught fire around mid-April, however, and had his average over .300 by the end of the month.  He eventually started to show some power and draw some walks as well.  At Lynchburg in 2007 he broke out, hitting for more power while still showing very good plate discipline.  He earned a mid-season promotion and got off to a great start at Altoona, hitting 324/430/569 in July.  He slumped after that and batted 208/286/248 in August.  The complete disappearance of his power was a concern.  He had no platoon split at Altoona even though he had a very large one, featuring an OPS of nearly 1.300 against LHPs, at Lynchburg.

Delaney will go only so far as his bat carries him.  He doesn't run well and doesn't have good range in OF.  Faced with a glut of corner outfielders at Lynchburg early in the season, the Pirates converted him to 1B in spring training.  He played either LF or 1B in AA in 2007, depending on whether Steve Pearce was there, then played there exclusively in 2008.  He still looked awkward around the bag at 1B in 2008.  He hit well at Altoona in 2008, continuing to show great plate discipline, but the power remained very modest.  After a late-season promotion to AAA, his power disappeared.  Delaney's approach at the plate is to wait for a pitch he can drive, but he mainly hits the ball to the opposite field and lacks the raw power to make that approach work the way it needs to for a guy who can only play 1B and LF.  Seven HRs in 465 ABs is not a corner bat.  His age, which will be 26 at the start of the 2009 season, is also a drawback.  He'll be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this off-season, but it's very unlikely the Pirates will add him to the roster.

One interesting note about Delaney:  He's apparently a very bright guy whose career goal is to be a major league GM.

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