2023 Cleveland Guardians prospect scouting report: #48 RHP Dylan DeLucia
Is Dylan DeLucia Cleveland's next late round, unherladed pitching success? A little increased velo along with other current pitch metrics suggest there might be something there.
Background, Build and Delivery
DeLucia was selected by the Guardians in the 6th round of the 2022 MLB Draft. He led Ole Miss to a College World Series victory in his only season with the Rebels. In 2020 and 2021, he pitched for Northwest Florida Junior College. DeLucia has a stocky frame at 6’1 200 lbs and does not have much physical projection left. He gets deep into his knees in his delivery and throws from a three quarters arm slot, leading to a very low 5 foot release.
What DeLucia Does Well
Movement is key to DeLucia’s success. His tailing fastball gets upwards of 16” of horizontal break, a well above average mark, along with 15” of induced vertical break, a large number for his low release point. This allows the pitch to generate whiffs and weak contact despite its pedestrian velocity, especially at the top of the zone. DeLucia also throws a plus slider in the low 80s with nearly 15” of sweep that he is able to land in the strike zone consistently. It is an especially effective pitch against right-handed hitters as a bat-misser down and away to his glove side.
Where DeLucia Needs to Improve
As with many fastball and slider heavy pitchers, DeLucia needs to improve his changeup as a weapon against lefties. He has shown flashes of a plus changeup with upwards of 17” of fading action, but he has had difficulty locating the pitch and used it sparingly in college. The Guardians may also work with DeLucia to improve his fastball velocity, which generally ranged from 90-92 in college with a high of 94 mph. He did sit at 92+ with a pitch count above 100 in the College World Series and Cleveland has had success in raising the velocity of many college pitchers, including ‘21 draftees Tanner Bibee and Tyler Thornton.
Intangibles
DeLucia has a bulldog mentality on the mound and has excelled on the biggest stage in college baseball, winning the Most Outstanding Player award at the College World Series.
Future
DeLucia will likely begin the 2023 season in Lynchburg. With improvement to his changeup and a slight uptick in velocity, he has the potential to be an effective back of the rotation starter. The Guardians may also eventually move him to the bullpen, where his fastball and slider can play up, similar to the development path of Eli Morgan. Expect him to be in Columbus and competing to get a big league look in 2025.
Role
40 - Back of the rotation starter
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