Chase DeLauter has been one of the most productive hitters on the Cleveland roster since coming off the injured list on June 28, and the numbers make it clear this is not a small sample size fluke. Over his last eight games, DeLauter has hit .353 with seven RBI and four extra base hits, a stretch that includes a two-run homer against the White Sox on Sunday, his first since May 17. The rookie outfielder missed real time earlier this season, and the way he has come back swinging has been one of the more encouraging developments for a Cleveland lineup that has needed every bit of production it can find.
DeLauter was asked what has been behind the surge, and his answer was simple.
“I think just being a little bit more calmer, taking it back to the old days, like Wiffle ball style, man,” DeLauter said.
"I think just being a little bit more calmer… taking it back to the old days, like Wiffle ball style, man"#Guardians Chase DeLauter on what has worked for him to keep hitting balls hard since his return #GuardsBall @WEWS pic.twitter.com/Fcl6YQbRW3
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) July 6, 2026
That mindset shows up in the way DeLauter has been squaring up pitches since his return. Rather than trying to force something at the plate after time away from the lineup, he has talked about stripping his approach down to its most basic form, the same loose and simple swing that got him hooked on the game as a kid.
The timing of DeLauter’s surge could not be better for Cleveland. The Guardians have leaned heavily on their young talent all season, and DeLauter’s return adds another dangerous bat to a lineup that has had to piece things together without Jose Ramirez and Angel Martinez for extended stretches. His performance since coming back has given manager Stephen Vogt one less spot in the order to worry about, and it has come at a moment when Cleveland needed players to step up and fill the gaps left by injury.
DeLauter’s comfort at the plate right now traces back to something every player who grew up around the game understands instinctively: the idea that the swing works best when it stays simple. He is not chasing mechanics or overthinking his timing, he is just letting his natural feel for hitting take over. If that Wiffle ball approach keeps producing results like it has over the last week and a half, Cleveland’s lineup only gets more dangerous heading into the second half.
NEXT: Guardians Drop Series Finale To White Sox After Big Comeback
