The stage is set for Chase DeLauter to cement his place in the Cleveland Guardians' outfield, and it's a moment fans have been eagerly anticipating. With his impressive skill set and the team’s evident confidence in him-evidenced by his MLB debut during last season’s playoffs-DeLauter is poised for a breakout.
However, his journey has been marred by injuries, a recurring theme since he joined the organization. Even this Spring Training hasn’t been without its hiccups, sparking some lighthearted suggestions to keep him healthy for Opening Day.
Joe Noga from The Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast humorously proposed wrapping DeLauter in bubble wrap to ensure he’s ready for the season opener. Noga envisions him as the starting right fielder, a crucial piece in the Guardians' lineup, and hopes to avoid any injury setbacks as the season kicks off.
“Put [Chase DeLauter] in bubble wrap for the next week,” Noga quipped. “Make sure he gets on the plane to Seattle next week. And as long as nothing happens between now and then, we’re looking at the starting right fielder and a guy who’s pretty much going to be a linchpin for this lineup.”
DeLauter’s Spring Training performance has been nothing short of stellar, boasting a 1.076 OPS in 28 at-bats, making a compelling case for his role as the starting right fielder. With Steven Kwan transitioning to center field full-time-where DeLauter initially debuted-this shift to right field might just be the change needed to keep him in peak condition.
The Guardians' offense seems primed for a leap forward, and DeLauter is a key factor in that potential surge. As one of the organization’s top prospects, at 24, he’s ready to seize this golden opportunity and make a lasting impact.