The Washington Nationals have reportedly added another from the college ranks with NJIT assistant Anthony Deleo joining the organization's Triple-A affiliate
Though the team previously announced its 12-man coaching staff, the Washington Nationals have added another assistant from its college ranks to fill out its minor league coaching staff after a longtime assistant announced his departure.
Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball reported the Nationals are expected to hire long-time NJIT assistant Anthony Deleo into its minor league system with the team’s Triple-A affiliate, Rochester Red Wings. Deleo, who also announced the news a day prior, previously served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at NJIT as he entered his seventh season on the Highlander staff. He becomes the latest assistant in the Nationals’ staff to join from the college ranks after a successful stint.
“I’ll forever cherish the memories: the 2021 Regional run, record-breaking wins, long hours and every moment we proved people wrong together. Leaving NJIT isn’t easy, but I’m excited for the next chapter. I’ll be joining the Washington Nationals Organization in a high-level coaching role - on-field for big league Spring Training and in AAA (Rochester) this season. GBU forever,” he wrote on X.
This marks Deleo’s third stint in the MLB after working in player development for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017 where he worked with both the GCL league and rehabbing players out of the organization’s spring training complex. The year prior, he worked with the Great Lake Loons, the Midwest League champions and Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he worked in player development and was “responsible for all pre-game advanced scouting materials, on-field skill development, and pro scouting duties,” per release.
Under Deleo, NJIT captured the America East Pitching crown while also leading the conference in both walk rate and strikeout-to-walk rate in 2023. A big part of that was producing Aidan Kidd and Ryan Fischer, a pair of All Conference selections with Kidd getting the first-team nod. In 2021, NJIT produced its most heralded pitcher in program history with Jake Rappaport setting the program single-season wins and saves record while winning both first team All Conference and All Region honors.
The 2022 season was a historic one, as Ryan Fischer captured a program-first America East Pitcher of the Year honors while also being named the NJIT Male Athlete of the Year. He led the AE in ERA (3.97), CG (2), BB% (5.7%), and IP (95.2), leading to Friday night success and a (7-3) record that left him one shy of a program record. Jake Rappaport was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watchlist and led the team in appearances for the fourth consecutive season.
He also served as the lead assistant at NJIT for the last three seasons as he worked with both the pitching staff and catchers.
While Nationals catcher Harry Ford will suit up for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic, Deleo is also involved with Great Britain Baseball as the U-23 bullpen and pitching coach, along with the U-18 pitching coach.
He also previously served as an assistant at Merrimack College after graduating from Bridgewater State University in 2015.