Chase DeLauter is about to experience the rare distinction of a “second” MLB debut. The outfielder was promoted by the Cleveland Guardians for last year’s AL Wild Card series, and he became one of the few players to get his first major league action in a postseason game.
Now, he is set to make his regular-season debut, likely as part of Cleveland’s Opening Day lineup. His arrival, whenever it may be, is one of the most anticipated events of the 2026 campaign.
The first-round pick from the 2022 MLB Draft has been delayed by injuries, but now that he’s here, ESPN insider Alden Gonzalez is naming DeLauter as the “player to watch” for the Guardians this season.
“DeLauter, the 43rd-ranked prospect by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, can hit for average and power, with 30-homer potential. He showed that in the minor leagues, slashing .302/.384/.504 with 20 homers, 70 walks and 80 strikeouts in 138 games. But only 81 of those games have come in the past two seasons. Now, the runway is there for DeLauter to be an everyday player. He just needs to stay on the field,” Gonzalez wrote.
DeLauter was limited by two surgeries last year. The first was for a core muscle injury before the season opened, and then he had one in late July to repair a right hamate bone fracture.
So, the fact that he was still able to get promoted for a playoff series speaks to his talent and upside. Though he managed just one hit in six at-bats in two games of the three-game loss to the Detroit Tigers, manager Stephen Vogt was impressed by his ability to handle the situation.
Now, everyone involved with the Guardians organization is excited to see what he can do over a full season. In the latest lineup projection, he is expected to play right field and bat second in the order. Other forecasts have him as the starting center fielder.
The Guardians will need him to live up to his billing after they did not make any significant acquisitions to boost their offense this offseason. He and infielder Travis Bazzana, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, are being counted on to generate improvement from within, along with fellow rookies C.J. Kayfus and George Valera.
Having already experienced playoff pressure, DeLauter should have a bit of an advantage as he begins his full-time MLB career.
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