The Cleveland Guardians have 62 players in major league camp.
That’s a lot of hopes, dreams and aspirations: the MLB active roster will be comprised of 26 players, and the rest will either be shipped to the minor leagues, released, or traded at some point.
There will also be a minor league camp, though, and there are some really high-profile names in it.
“In addition to the 62 players in Major League camp, these 28 players will also be working out in Goodyear,” GuardsInsider tweeted.
In additon to the 62 players in Major League camp, these 28 players will also be working out in Goodyear pic.twitter.com/he8cYfoNY0
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) February 14, 2024
Pitcher Ethan Hankins will be there, trying to impress, as well as fellow top Guardians prospect Dayan Frias.
The biggest name on the list, however, is definitely Chase DeLauter.
DeLauter was Cleveland’s first-round pick in 2022, when he was selected No. 16 overall.
Out of James Madison University, DeLauter received a hefty $3,750,000 bonus for signing.
The Guards are confident that he could be a factor on the big league team in late 2024 or early 2025.
That could probably be one of the reasons why the organization didn’t, or hasn’t, pursued a big-name (and big-money) outfielder this offseason.
DeLauter showed some incredible hitting skills in 2023.
In nine games at the Complex League (Rookie level), he accumulated a .947 OPS.
Then, he played 42 games in High-A and had an equally impressive .952 OPS.
After that, in six Double-A games, he posted a .873 OPS.
Having aced High-A, it’s likely that DeLauter opens the 2024 campaign in Double-A.
His excellent hit tool and raw power give them a very solid chance of succeeding there, and if that happens, the majors will be much closer for him.
NEXT: New Guardians Infielder Shows Off His Power Potential In Camp
