Where Are They Now: Collin DeLome

Prior to the 2007 season, the Houston Astros signed free agent outfielder Carlos Lee and pitcher Woody Williams to bolster their lineup and rotation for the upcoming baseball campaign. With the two signings, the Astros' first two selections in the June 2007 Draft were forfeited. The Astros selected infielder Derek Dietrich out of St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio in the third round as their first selection and pitcher Brett Eibner out of Woodlands High School in the fourth. Both selections opted to attend college and Dietrich reported to Georgia Tech and Eibner signed a letter of intent to play at Arkansas.

In the fifth round of the 2007 Draft, the Astros selected a record-setting outfielder from Lamar University, Collin DeLome. The Astros signed DeLome and the Lamar Cardinals slugger became the Astros highest signed draft pick of 2007.

DeLome excelled in his three years at Lamar. As a freshman in 2005, DeLome hit .307 with four home runs, 37 RBI and nine triples. In his sophomore campaign, DeLome added more power, swatting 11 home runs while hitting .376 and driving in 56 runs in 57 games. DeLome continued to be an exceptional run producer as a junior, his final season at Lamar, in 2007. In 59 games, DeLome produced 117 runs (60 runs, 57 RBI) and finished the season with his third consecutive season batting over .300 (.329).

Following the draft, DeLome reported to the ValleyCats to start his professional baseball career. The 'Cats centerfielder got off to a hot start, batting .429 in the month of June and was named to the 2007 New York-Penn League All-Star Game at Hudson Valley. In 65 games with the ValleyCats, DeLome recorded 23 multi-hit games and finished the season with a .300 batting average. DeLome enjoyed the confines of Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, hitting all six of his home runs at home. DeLome also contributed 17 doubles and six triples, batting third in the ValleyCats lineup.

Prior to the 2008 season, Baseball America named DeLome the eleventh best prospect in the Astros organization, the highest such ranking for a member of the 2007 ValleyCats. In April, DeLome was assigned to Class A Lexington of the South Atlantic League to start the 2008 season and hit .261 in 61 games with 12 home runs and 36 RBI. The Astros promoted DeLome to Class A-Advanced Salem in June after DeLome found his stroke, hitting .400 in 10 games the same month. In 68 games with the Carolina League's Avalanche, DeLome hit .232 with 10 home runs and 35 RBI. DeLome displayed a tremendous increase in his power numbers, posting 22 home runs in 129 games 2008.

DeLome power surge was eye-opening in 2008. After averaging a home run in every 40.5 at bats in 2007 with the ValleyCats, DeLome increased that statistic to a home run every 21 at bats in 2008.

As the 2009 season approaches, DeLome hopes to continue to ascend through the Astros' farm system and soon be navigating Tal's Hill in centerfield at Minute Maid Park in Houston.