The San Diego Padres purchased the contract of former Los Angeles Dodgers' infielder Tony Delmonico from the Schaumburg Boomers of the Frontier League on Wednesday.
Delmonico, 27, was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2008 MLB Draft. He was ranked as the organization's No. 19 prospect by Baseball America following the 2008 season. He batted .280/.394/.439 while hitting 35 homers and driving in 172 RBI in 334 career games (four seasons) in the Dodgers' farm system before being released by the club in May of 2012. He signed a contract to play in the Frontier League later that month and has been playing in independent ball ever since.
Following his release from the Dodgers, Delmonico began to pitch in independent ball. In 43 games (five starts) from 2012-2014, he posted a 5.27 ERA in 70 innings pitched. He also struck out 66 batters, walked 32 and notched three saves en route to a 1-4 record in those three seasons. During that span, Delmonico still played as a position player and batted .281/.391/.482 while hitting 17 homers and driving in 68 RBI in 153 games.
Delmonico last appeared in affiliated ball as a member of the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.