Toronto Blue Jays All-Time Roster

Toronto Blue Jays all-time roster: First Base – Carlos Delgado (1993-2004)

Carlos Delgado burst onto the scene in 1994, hitting eight home runs in his first 13 games before struggling and being sent back to the minors for more seasoning. When he came back for good two years later, he quickly established himself as one of the top sluggers in the American League.

Beginning in 1997, Delgado hit 30 or more home runs for the next eight seasons in Toronto, topping out with 44 in 1999. He drove in 100 or more runs in all but two of those years, missing by a single RBI in 2004. Typically ranking amongst the league leaders in doubles, homers and RBI, Delgado only made two All-Star Games, despite receiving solid consideration for the MVP award.

During his Blue Jays career, Delgado produced a .282/.396/.556 batting line, hitting 336 homers and driving in 1058 runs. The Blue Jays all-time leader in home runs, RBI, runs, doubles and walks, Delgado is also second in on-base percentage, slugging and OPS. The greatest hitter in team history, his 21 votes for the Hall of Fame in 2015, and two All-Star selections, just highlight how overlooked he was during his career.

Defensively, Delgado was a stellar hitter. Despite being almost exactly league average in range factor and fielding percentage, he cost the Blue Jays 22 runs during his career and had an incredible -139.4 DEF score. As it was, Delgado may have been better served as a designated hitter instead of a first baseman.

Currently the greatest hitter in Toronto Blue Jays history, Carlos Delgado did not get the recognition he deserved during his career. Nonetheless, he was the face of Blue Jays baseball during the latter 1990s and early 2000s, a player with few others in his class.

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