Raynel Delgado went from Triple-A Durham to the Astros in a matter of days, getting the call while his family scrambled between Kansas City and a pre-booked Caribbean cruise from Miami. Sunday’s Major League debut ended with his first career hit—an eighth-inni
HOUSTON — The phone call didn’t come in a baseball uniform. It came through the person guiding Triple-A Durham that week, Morgan Ensberg, the former Astros third baseman turned manager.
Delgado was playing for Durham on Wednesday when he was traded from the Rays to the Astros—and told he would reach the Major Leagues for the first time. He was asked to join the Astros in Kansas City last Friday.
By the time he stood in Kauffman Stadium’s third-base lineup on Sunday. the move had already stretched his family in two directions. Seven relatives were in the stands on Friday, including his parents and grandparents. Then the schedule hit a wall: five members of his family. including his mother. flew back home to Miami because they were scheduled to leave on a Caribbean cruise on Sunday. Only his father, Arturo Delgado, and his stepmother remained in Kansas City.
“It’s a dream come true,” Raynel Delgado said after it was over—after the nerves, the waiting, and the at-bats that didn’t start the way he wanted.
He didn’t get any game action on Friday or Saturday. Sunday was different. He was at third base for the Astros’ finale against the Royals—the game that became his Major League debut.
The early moments were anything but smooth. Delgado struck out and grounded out in his first two at-bats against Royals starter Stephen Kolek. Then, in the eighth inning, the first career hit arrived on a 1-0 changeup. Delgado sent it into right field, and the Astros retrieved the ball so he could keep it.
“There were a lot of years of sacrificing, a lot of ups, a lot of downs,” Delgado said. “So just happy that we were able to get that first one down and just keep it up.”
The week’s whirlwind didn’t just belong to Delgado. It followed his family, too. He described how hard it was for him and his mother to come to the United States in the first place. Delgado was born in Cuba and moved from Havana to Miami with his mother. Yanely Pineiro. when he was 7 years old in 2007. His father had already been in Florida for three years, meaning they went a long time without seeing each other.
“When I got to this country, he was the first one that gave me a ball and the first one that put a glove in my hand,” Raynel said. “So, he was very emotional that [debut] day, and just glad I could share that moment with him and see where it takes us. It’s only the beginning.”
Delgado said the path was complicated for Pineiro. She is a doctor, and the government didn’t want her to leave, he said. She revalidated her doctor’s license, and now she has an internist practice in Miami.
The baseball side of the story has been steady even when the calendar wasn’t. Delgado was drafted by Cleveland in the sixth round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He signed a Minor League deal with the Rays last November.
At Durham, his numbers carried the weight behind the moment: he was slashing .250/.320/.362 with three homers, 33 RBIs and 24 steals. He played third base (30 games), shortstop (19) and second base (seven).
The Astros’ route to him started with a need. They had interest in signing Delgado in the offseason, but veteran infielder Nick Allen landed on the injured list last week with a left hamstring strain. The Astros worked out a deal and sent cash to the Rays to acquire Delgado.
“It did take a long time [to reach the big leagues],” Delgado said. “I feel like right now it’s just helping the team win. That’s the key to this whole thing.”
He pointed to what he believes comes next: baserunning, defense, and good at-bats—whatever the Astros ask from him. He said he knows the role on the team and doesn’t want to get too big during the moment, even as he tries to enjoy it. The goal, he said, is straightforward.
“[I’m going to do] whatever’s asked of me—baserunning, defense, putting good at-bats together, getting on base,” Delgado said. “I know the role on the team and not try to get too big and enjoy the moment as well, but with that being said, the goal is to win a game every day.”
Sunday’s single wasn’t just a milestone. It was the first proof that the sprint from Durham to Kansas City—and the messy, real-life family logistics wrapped around it—had room for joy.
Raynel Delgado Astros Rays Major League debut first career hit Kauffman Stadium Triple-A Durham Morgan Ensberg Arturo Delgado Yanely Pineiro Stephen Kolek Nick Allen Nick Allen left hamstring strain
So he got a hit in his first game?? That’s awesome.
Not gonna lie the family flying around for a cruise sounds kinda made up. Like why would you schedule that during MLB call-ups? Also Kauffman Stadium is wild.
Wait did he get called up because of that manager Morgan Ensberg guy? I thought Ensberg was like… a broadcaster or something. Either way, 8th inning hit on a changeup feels like he was due. But also he struck out twice first, so like, was he even ready or what.
The article says his mom flew back to Miami for a Caribbean cruise Sunday like that’s just normal lol. Meanwhile he’s in Kansas City trying not to choke. I’m guessing the “chaotic call-up week” is just family problems not baseball ones, but whatever he got his first hit so congrats I guess.