Delaplane is the son of Fred and Sue Delaplane, and has a brother, Brad.[1]
He attended Leigh High School ('13) in San Jose, California,[2] which is where he was born.[3][4] Playing baseball as a pitcher and catcher, he was All-League First Team and San Jose Mercury Honorable Mention in his senior season, as he was 6–2 with a 1.66 ERA on the mound and batted .342.[1][3][5]
In 2019, he split the season between the Modesto Nuts of the High–ACalifornia League and the Arkansas Travelers of the Double-ATexas League, going a combined 6–3 with 7 saves and a 2.23 ERA, and 120 strikeouts (leading all minor league relievers) over 68+2⁄3 innings (15.7 strikeouts per 9 innings; second-best in minor league baseball for pitchers who pitched 50 innings) in 46 relief appearances.[12][11][13][14] Delaplane had the highest K-BB% (37.0%) and pure strikeout rate (45.8%) in minor league baseball, and his curveball/slider had the second-highest swing-and-miss rate of all slider in baseball.[15][16] He was named a mid-season California League All Star.[17] In September 2019 Jim Callis named him to MLB Pipeline's Second Team Prospect Team of the Year.[18]
Following the 2019 regular season, Delaplane played for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League, and in six appearances was 0–1 with two saves and a 1.13 ERA over eight innings with 15 strikeouts and 1 walk.[19] He was named a Fall League All-Star.[20][21] In April 2020 Fangraphs ranked him #11 on its list of Mariners' prospects.[15] In July 2020 CBS Sports opined: "Sam Delaplane is one of, if not the best relief prospect in the game."[22]
Delaplane did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[23] On November 20, 2020, Delaplane was added to the 40-man roster.[24] That month MLB Pipeline named him Seattle's #20 Prospect.[25] In February 2021, Fangraphs ranked him #9.[26] On April 13, 2021, Delaplane underwent Tommy John surgery, effectively ending his 2021 season.[27] On May 27, Delaplane was designated for assignment by Seattle.[28]
San Francisco Giants
On May 31, 2021, Delaplane was acquired by the San Francisco Giants in exchange for cash considerations.[29] He was placed on the 60-day injured list the next day as he continued to recover from Tommy John.[30] Following the season, on November 30, 2021, Delaplane was non-tendered by the Giants and became a free agent.[31] Delaplane re-signed with the Giants on December 1 on a minor league contract and was later invited to spring training.[32] He was added to the 40-man roster in June 2022; later in the month, after four rehab outings with the San Jose Giants in which he tallied 11 strikeouts, he was put on the 60-day injured list with a right forearm strain.[33][34] On November 15, Delaplane was designated for assignment by the Giants after they protected multiple prospects from the Rule 5 draft.[35] He was non–tendered by the Giants in November 18, and became a free agent.[36] Delaplane re–signed with the Giants on a minor league contract the following day.
Through 2022, in four minor league seasons, Delaplane was 12–6 with 17 saves and a 2.41 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 15.3 K/9 (278 strikeouts in 164 innings), and a 4.63 SO/W ratio in 104 relief appearances.[37]
On July 4, 2023, while playing for the High–A Eugene Emeralds, Delaplane combined with Hayden Birdsong, Mat Olsen, and William Kempner to no-hit the Tri-City Dust Devils. The no-hitter was the first since 2015, and the first since the franchise became a part of the Giants organization.[38] He elected free agency on November 6. [39] In 2023 Delaplane pitched for the Double–A Richmond Flying Squirrels, Eugene, and the Single–A San Jose Giants, and was 5-4 with a 4.14 ERA across 32 relief appearances. In his 45+2⁄3 innings, and gave up 31 hits and 36 walks while striking out 67 batters (13.2 strikeouts per 8 innings).[40] Delaplane elected free agency following the season on November 6.[41]
Long Island Ducks
On April 11, 2024, Delaplane signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[42] In 23 appearances for the Ducks, he compiled a 3–2 record and 4.63 ERA with 44 strikeouts across 23+1⁄3 innings pitched. On July 9, Delaplane retired from professional baseball.[43]
Pitching style
Delaplane mixes up a 93–96 mph rising four-seam fastball, and an excellent 83–88 mph curveball-grip curveball/slider hybrid that has a high spin rate and late downward movement and which he releases straight over the top like his fastball.[44][15][16][6][45]