The Cleveland Guardians have built a reputation as one of the savviest organizations in baseball when it comes to developing young talent. They don’t rush their prospects.
They don’t pile on unrealistic expectations. Instead, they create an environment where young players can grow into their roles without being asked to carry the weight of the franchise from day one.
But every rule has its exception - and in 2026, that exception might just be Chase DeLauter.
DeLauter, the Guardians’ 2022 first-round pick, enters the season with more eyes on him than any other rookie in the system. MLB.com recently labeled him the prospect with the “most to prove” heading into the new year.
And it’s easy to see why. Talent?
He’s got it in spades. But the big question - the one that’s followed him since draft day - is whether he can stay on the field long enough to show it.
Let’s rewind for a second. DeLauter made his Major League debut in the most dramatic way possible: the postseason.
That’s not something you see every day. In fact, it’s a move that speaks volumes about how much the Guardians believe in him.
Despite an injury-riddled minor league season - including a sports hernia in the spring and a fractured wrist during the year - Cleveland still called him up for the AL Wild Card round. That’s not a courtesy call-up.
That’s trust.
He only managed one hit in six playoff at-bats during the Guardians’ series loss to Detroit, but that small sample doesn’t tell the full story. What matters more is that he was there, in the lineup, facing big-league pitching in October. That’s a rare opportunity, and one that sets the stage for a potentially breakout rookie campaign.
Now 24, DeLauter has played just 138 minor league games across three seasons. Injuries - including a foot issue that lingered after the draft - have kept his development from moving in a straight line.
But when he’s been healthy, the production has been undeniable: a .302 average, .888 OPS, and 20 home runs. That’s not just promising - that’s impact-level production.
And that’s why the Guardians are expected to pencil him into the Opening Day lineup this year, alongside fellow young talents George Valera, C.J. Kayfus, and Travis Bazzana.
It’s a youth movement in Cleveland, and DeLauter is at the center of it. Among that group, he’s widely viewed as the one with the highest ceiling - and a legitimate contender for AL Rookie of the Year.
DeLauter knows what’s at stake. He’s already said that staying healthy is his top priority this season.
That’s a mature mindset for a player entering his first full big-league campaign. It’s also a necessary one.
The grind of a 162-game season is no joke, and for a player with his injury history, durability could be the difference between a solid rookie year and a star-making one.
If DeLauter can stay on the field and deliver the way he has in the minors, the Guardians could be looking at a foundational piece in their outfield - not just for 2026, but for years to come. And if everything clicks, he might just help push Cleveland back to the World Series for the first time in a decade.
No pressure, right? But if anyone’s ready for the moment, it might be Chase DeLauter.