The awards chatter is already circling Chase DeLauter, and for good reason. After the World Series ended and the MLB offseason officially opened, the Cleveland Guardians outfielder suddenly finds himself in the mix for two of the sport’s most recognizable honors.
DeLauter’s first full MLB season put him squarely on the radar. MLB.com insider Tim Stebbins wrote that the 25-year-old “could garner some Rookie of the Year votes and be in the AL Silver Slugger Award mix.” Stebbins also noted that DeLauter, an All-MLB Team finalist, turned in a .287/.363/.457 line across 133 games with 30 doubles, 16 home runs, 67 RBIs, 60 walks and 82 strikeouts.
That production came with a place in the record book, too. Stebbins pointed out that DeLauter became just the second Cleveland rookie to finish in the top five in the AL in batting average, joining Shoeless Joe Jackson (.408 in 1911).
The Rookie of the Year race - officially the Jackie Robinson Award - is voted on by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Each team has two BBWAA members involved in the process, and the league’s three AL finalists will be announced Monday before the winner is revealed on Nov. 9.
DeLauter’s path to that award is not a simple one. He’s lined up against pitching teammate Parker Messick, though Cleveland is likely to come up short behind Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle, who has a 96 percent odds mark on the Kalshi prediction market. Cleveland has not had a Rookie of the Year winner since catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. in 1990, and would be looking for its fifth in franchise history.
The Silver Slugger race looks more favorable for DeLauter. Those awards, created in 1980 to honor the top offensive players at each position, are decided by MLB managers and coaches.
Each club gets four voters - the manager plus three coaches - and they cannot vote for players on their own team. Six AL outfield finalists will be announced next Thursday, and the three winners will follow on No.
Among American League outfielders, DeLauter ranked third in batting average and fourth in OPS at .820. He also placed 10th in RBIs, 11th with 142 hits and 18th in home runs.
The season wasn’t without interruption. Multiple injuries, including a fractured rib, limited him to 133 games. Even so, that was a professional high after he had never played more than 57 games in any of his three minor league seasons.
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