`Cats Watch: Collin DeLome

TROY, N.Y. - In 2007, Collin DeLome was the fifth round draft choice of the Houston Astros. The Astros didn't have a first or second round pick, and they failed to sign the third and fourth round picks, making DeLome the highest, and best, pick signed by the Astros.

DeLome ended up right here in Troy for his first season of professional baseball. In his only season with the ValleyCats, DeLome batted .300 in 65 games, with 6 home runs, 6 triples, and 17 doubles. DeLome was arguably the best player on the 2007 ValleyCats, leading the team in most offensive categories. He was a NYPL Mid-Season All-Star that year.

The next year DeLome split time between the Lexington Legends and the Salem Avalanche (the Avalanche are now known as the Lancaster JetHawks). In 61 games with the Legends, DeLome batted .261, with 12 home runs and 36 RBI's. He was also named Lexington's Defensive Player of the Month in May 2008. With the High-A affiliate Salem Avalanche DeLome took a step back batting .232, but was still a huge contributor with 10 home runs and 35 RBI.

This season, as a member of the Double-A affiliate Corpus Christi Hooks, Collin is the Texas League leader in home runs with 14. DeLome is also tied for second in the league with 54 runs scored. DeLome is among the leaders on his team in the following categories: OPS, OBP, Slugging percentage, and in 60 games so far, Colin has only made one error.

In 2008, Baseball America ranked Colin DeLome the ninth best prospect in the Astros system. DeLome is one of three top ten prospects to play for the ValleyCats in the past two years. In addition to DeLome, both pitcher Jordan Lyles, the sixth best prospect, and catcher Jason Castro, the best prospect in the Astros system, played for the `Cats in 2008.