Could Nicky Delmonico or Yermin Mercedes be the 26th man?

Nicky Delmonico

It's hard to say much about early preseason games. The White Sox have played four of them, and they've gone 2-1-1. None of the games have been on the radio, and the only televised game was a 2-2 tie Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Interestingly, the stars of that televised game were two guys on the fringes of the roster -- outfielder Nicky Delmonico and catcher Yermin Mercedes.

Delmonico went 3 for 3 with a pair of doubles, and Mercedes went 2 for 2 with a long solo home run. Neither man has much defensive utility, but if the Sox want a bench bat when the season starts, these two players would be among the candidates for the 26th and final spot on the roster.

Mercedes would be a more popular choice among fans, because he's never had a chance in the majors before. Therefore, he has never failed. (Delmonico has.)

Reports indicate that Mercedes doesn't have much mobility as a catcher, even though he's a decent receiver. If he's going to stick in pro ball, he has to hit, and last season, he hit. He posted a .317/.388/.581 slash line with 23 home runs and 80 RBIs in 95 games across two levels -- 53 at Triple-A Charlotte and 42 at Double-A Birmingham.

Typically, Sox hitting prospects are judged by how well they do in the pitcher-friendly ballpark at Birmingham. Mercedes hit .327 at that level, so it was a test he passed. We'll keep an eye on him as camp progresses.

Ditto Delmonico, who the Sox released last season and brought back on a minor-league deal this offseason. The 27-year-old appeared in only 21 games in 2019, batting .206/.265/.286, before a shoulder injury ended his season. Because he was hurt, the Sox couldn't outright him off the roster, so they had to let him go.

Delmonico is a popular player in the organization, and the team probably didn't want his career to end like that, so he's getting another kick at the can this spring. He was decent for the Sox in 2017, when he batted .262/.373/.482 with nine home runs and 23 RBIs in 43 games.

If he can somehow regain that form, he has a chance at a roster spot. His left-handedness is a bonus, and while he's not a good fielder, you can have him stand in left field or at first base.

Most fans probably don't want to see him again because of his failings in 2018 and 2019, but the good news is, if he earns a spot on the club, he won't be overexposed as a regular player this time. Regardless, he's a long shot. Mercedes probably has a better chance.