The Cleveland Guardians did something not many teams had done before.
They included a rookie in their starting lineup for a pivotal playoff game.
More than a rookie, they had a player who had never played a single game in MLB.
However, Chase DeLauter looked the part.
Even though he had a big error while fielding a routine ball, he was pretty solid for the most part, showcasing his plate discipline and his strong arm.
That’s why, following the game, utility man Daniel Schneemann had nothing but words of support for the rookie outfielder:
“That says a ton about him. Just his resilience to fight against adversity. The at-bats he had after that clearly had no effect on him. Big props to him. I remember how nervous I was just for a regular game in the middle of the season. When he was up here today, you couldn’t tell if he was nervous or not. He was super even-keeled. I think that says a lot about him,” Schneemann said.
"You couldn't tell if he was nervous or not"#Guardians Daniel Schneemann and Steven Kwan were impressed with the poise that Chase DeLauter showed in his MLB Debut #GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/e70BxghRrw
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) October 1, 2025
The fact that the Guardians trusted DeLauter to be out there in such a high-stakes moment says everything you need to know about how they feel about him.
It’s not just that his talent and physical tools are mesmerizing, but also that they firmly believe that he’s mature and mentally strong enough to deal with that type of pressure.
DeLauter is the organization’s No. 2 prospect behind only former No. 1 pick Travis Bazzana.
He’s got all the tools to be the next face of the franchise, but injuries have derailed his young career.
He didn’t record a hit in his debut, but he managed to get on base with a walk.
Now, he will be batting fifth in a win-or-go-home matchup with the Detroit Tigers.
This will be a great moment to show what he’s truly made of.
But even though he hasn’t been there for long, it seems like he’s already earned the veteran’s respect.
NEXT: Recent Guardians Lineup Speaks Volumes About Team's Development System
