Analyst Dan O’Dowd knows a thing or two about baseball.
He was the general manager of the Colorado Rockies from 1999 to 2014.
Like every MLB executive, O’Dowd had good and bad decisions, but stars such as Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki, Jeff Francis and Ubaldo Jiménez developed under his watch.
He even helped the Rockies reach the World Series in 2007.
Currently at MLB Network, O’Dowd has an eye for talent.
When he talks about Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect Chase DeLauter, you can tell he is a fan of his skill set.
He knows about his lightning-quick wrists, incredible bat-to-ball skills and raw power.
He knows about his journey in spring training 2024, the minor leagues and the Arizona Fall League, and he is very familiar with the foot injuries that robbed most of his season last year.
O’Dowd recently said if DeLauter can remain in one piece, he will fit into the Guardians’ 2025 plans like a glove.
“If this guy is healthy, this is the exact type of middle of the lineup bat the Guardians have been clamoring for to play right field,” O’Dowd said, via MLB Network.
"If this guy is healthy, this is the EXACT type of middle of the lineup bat the Guardians have been clamoring for…"
– Dan O'Dowd on No. 36 prospect Chase DeLauter@MLBPipeline pic.twitter.com/3V4fz27fqY
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 27, 2025
Right now, Will Brennan and Jhonkensy Noel will vie for right field duties in Cleveland.
However, the team knows that the future of the position is DeLauter.
It’s all a matter of considering and determining his estimated time of arrival. Some say he is ready now, others believe he could use more seasoning at Triple-A.
He played six games at Columbus last year, with a brilliant 185 wRC+.
His larger sample, however, came in Double-A Akron, where he posted a good but relatively more modest 118 wRC+.
The Guardians likely will wait until May or June to give DeLauter the job in right field.
It will then be up to him to make the best of that opportunity when it comes.
NEXT: MLB Hypes Up Guardians Prospect Ahead Of 2025 Season
