By: Pat Mullen
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – It was a big day for the California Winter League as we saw the first CWL player of the 2015 season signed by a major league organization. Austin Delmotte (Canada A’s) came into the 2015 season signed to the Amarillo Thunderheads (formerly known as the Amarillo Sox) of the American Association. That did not last long, however, as just a week into the season Delmotte was signed by Texas Rangers’ scout, Rick Schroeder.
Delmotte, of Romeo, Michigan, comes from the metro-Detroit area and played his college ball at Madonna University. He was looked at by all the scouts here at the CWL, but it was Rick Schroeder of the Rangers that grabbed him first. Schroeder had ties to Delmotte before the CWL as the Rangers Midwest scout had put in a good word ahead of time.
Through three appearances with the Canada A’s, Delmotte has registered a 1.75 ERA with 10 strikeouts over four innings.
The right-hander’s fastball sits consistently at 94-96 MPH to go along with an impressive breaking ball. Schroeder mentioned that Delmotte will start in Low-A ball, but expects him to be at High-A by the end of the 2015 season.
