Chase DeLauter Will Bring Needed Power To Guardians’ Lineup
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Outfielder Chase DeLauter made a convincing case to make the Guardians’ Opening Day roster with the way he performed in spring training.
“We couldn’t be more excited about what Chase showed this spring,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said near the end of training camp. “The future for him is very bright.”
Cleveland drafted DeLauter 16th overall in 2022, making him the highest selection ever from James Madison. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound lefthanded hitter performed like a first-rounder in the Cactus League.
In 13 games DeLauter went 13-for-25 (.520) with four home runs, a double, five walks and four strikeouts.
“For younger guys, it’s easy to wonder if you’re good enough to play with these guys who you see on TV every day,” DeLauter said. “I’m just trusting myself and trusting my ability.”
DeLauter thrived in the mid-major Colonial Athletic Association, hitting .437 with eight homers in 24 games as a junior in 2022. A left foot injury cut his draft season short and then limited him to 57 games in 2023.
DeLauter spent the majority of last season at High-A Lake County and hit .366/.403/.549 with four homers in 42 games. He advanced to Double-A Akron when the Midwest League season ended in mid September.
The 22-year-old then shined in the Arizona Fall League, swatting five homers in 23 games.
“Chase has worked extremely hard to battle back from injury to compete in the Fall League and major league spring training,” Guardians assistant GM James Harris said.
“He has been a sponge learning from our major league outfield and baserunning coach J.T. Maguire and our player development hitting teams.”
DeLauter’s emergence comes at an opportune time for the Guardians, who in recent years have lacked run-producing outfielders. Cleveland outfielders combined to hit 18 home runs last year.
“Chase has worked on his throwing mechanics in center field, and he will play all three outfield positions this year,” Harris said. “So far he has demonstrated the ability to impact the baseball and make good swing decisions.”
