The Cleveland Guardians entered the 2026 campaign with Jose Ramirez working on a two-year streak with at least 30 homers and 40 steals, not to mention ten consecutive seasons with a wRC+ over 100. They also had Steven Kwan and his continued excellence, several hitters with a brilliant September including Brayan Rocchio, Bo Naylor, and even CJ Kayfus, and other talented offensive performers.
Because of that, seeing rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter emerge as the top hitter on the team is, at least, surprising. Some would say shocking.
That’s the reality, though: DeLauter has been the best and most consistent offensive player of the Guardians this year, and it isn’t particularly close, either.
“Cleveland Guardians current (wRC+) leaders for the 2026 season. 1. Chase DeLauter 131, 2. Travis Bazzana 115, 3. Steven Kwan 111,” Guardians Prospective said.
Cleveland #Guardians current (wRC+) leaders on the 2026 season.
1. Chase DeLauter 131
2. Travis Bazzana 115
3. Steven Kwan 111#GuardsBall— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) September 19, 2026
These numbers were calculated before Saturday’s game against the Athletics, where he went 2-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored, and three RBI. After that clash, DeLauter is now hitting .290/.363/.458 with a 132 wRC+, 15 round-trippers, and 65 RBI. Not bad for his first taste of MLB pitching.
It shouldn’t be shocking to see DeLauter dominate at-bats in MLB after watching him thrive in the minor leagues for years. Two things, however, qualify as slight surprises. One is the fact that he has played 127 games so far, given his well-documented injury issues as a pro. The other one is how big of a gap there is between DeLauter and the next-best hitter on the Guardians.
He has made such a smooth transition to the majors that it isn’t hard to envision him approaching 25 round-trippers, a .300 batting average, and a 140 wRC+ next year should he remain healthy. That’s always the big ‘if’ with DeLauter, but his talent is definitely not in question.
Now that he has successfully overcome a recent wrist issue, DeLauter is expected to lead the Guardians’ offense to the postseason and, possibly, a bit more than that. He can hit lefties and righties, produce against veteran command artists and high-octane guys, and feast on fastballs, changeups, curveballs, and every pitch in the book.
The young thumper has virtually no offensive weakness, and that’s precisely why he has been the best Guardians hitter in the 2026 campaign.
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