(670 The Score) Former White Sox outfielder Nicky Delmonico has returned to the organization to begin his coaching career.
Delmonico, 29, will serve as the hitting coach for Winston-Salem, the team’s high-A affiliate. He decided to go into coaching after nagging injuries took a toll and made playing more difficult each season. Delmonico played for the White Sox in 2020 before joining the Reds organization in 2021, when he played 19 games at the Triple-A level.
"To me, the White Sox have been my family,” Delmonico said. “The thing that hurt me the most was not being able to stay with the White Sox. I knew I was inching close to becoming a coach after seeing my body couldn't take it any longer. I reached out to (assistant general manager/player development) Chris Getz and told him I was really serious about becoming a coach. I was placed in the instructional league and then after doing a little of everything, I was fortunate to land this position.”
Delmonico comes from a baseball family, as his father, Rod, was Tennessee’s head coach from 1990 to 2007. Delmonico appeared in 158 games for the White Sox from 2017-’20.
“I feel with my recent experience in the big leagues, I will be able to relate well to the players, having been involved up until now,” he said. “I will do everything I can to prepare these young hitters and do what I can to help them in all areas. Coming into this spring training, you must create a good foundation and a routine. My part is to help them buy into the routine so when they do struggle at times during the season, they have something to go back to.”
The White Sox announced their player development staff Wednesday.
Another recognizable name is Jasmine Dunston, the daughter of former Cubs shortstop Shawon Dunston. She has been named the organization’s new directed of minor league operations. She previously worked in the Reds’ player development department.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.