So far, Cleveland Guardians top outfield prospect Chase DeLauter played just one Spring Training game before Monday, but it served as a reminder of what he can do on a baseball field.
In that game, he took three plate appearances and logged hits on two of them.
Despite not yet playing a regular season game in the majors, DeLauter saw some postseason action last year: seven trips to the plate in which he earned a hit and a walk.
Injuries have continually gotten in the way, but when healthy, DeLauter is a potential difference-maker and represents the future of the Guardians’ offense.
He is finally in a position to go ahead and earn a spot on the Opening Day roster and lineup with a solid spring, and even though his immediate future hasn’t been officially addressed by the organization, team insider Terry Pluto has a clue about how the Guards might deploy him.
“The Guardians aren’t saying it, but they consider rookie Chase DeLauter a classic right fielder. He has a terrific arm. At James Madison, he sometimes pitched in relief and threw 92 mph. DeLauter played center and right in the minors,” Pluto wrote.
Typically, corner outfielders with strong and accurate throwing arms are placed in right as opposed to left, because plays at third base are much more common than at the cold corner.
To maximize one of DeLauter’s main strengths, Cleveland would be smart to put him in right field.
With Steven Kwan being tried as a center fielder, there is a chance we see him sharing the outfield with DeLauter and George Valera in left.
Angel Martinez and Johnathan Rodriguez remain in the picture, though, and DeLauter himself can play some center field.
If the objective is to preserve his long-term health, however, a corner might be the best place for him.
Everything will come down to him performing at the plate, though.
As long as DeLauter can hit major league pitching, you can be sure manager Stephen Vogt will make sure there is a spot for him almost every day, especially if he shows he can do some damage against lefties.
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