The Houston Astros picked up infielder Raynel Delgado from the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, acquiring the 26-year-old for cash considerations.
Delgado brings versatility and speed to Houston’s system. The former sixth-round pick by Cleveland in 2018 hasn’t reached the majors yet, but he’s logged time at Triple-A with three different organizations – the Guardians, Brewers, and Blue Jays before landing in Tampa Bay’s system.
His numbers tell the story of a player who gets on base and creates havoc once he’s there. Last season with Milwaukee’s Triple-A affiliate, Delgado hit .281/.363/.378 with five homers and 53 RBIs while swiping 40 bases in 48 attempts. That’s an 83% success rate.
The speed carried over this year at Triple-A Durham, where he’s stolen 24 bases in 32 attempts through 61 games.
What makes this move sensible for Houston is timing. They’ve lost depth infielders Braden Shewmake and Nick Allen to the injured list over the past couple weeks, leaving them thin on organizational depth.
Delgado profiles as more of a second/third base type than a true shortstop, but he’s got experience all around the infield. Baseball Reference shows he’s logged more than 500 minor league innings at second, short, and third base combined.
“Delgado is more of a second/third base type than a true shortstop, but he has more than 500 minor league innings at all three positions,” Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors noted Wednesday.
It’s the kind of low-risk move that makes sense when you’re dealing with organizational depth issues. Delgado gives Houston another option if injuries continue to mount, and his stolen base ability adds a different dimension to their system.
The deal was first reported by MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart Wednesday afternoon.
For now, Delgado slots in as organizational depth with upside. At 26, he’s still young enough to develop, and that speed tool doesn’t go away overnight.
