Chase DeLauter Lands at No. 10 in MLB Pipeline’s Outfield Rankings - But the Story’s Just Getting Started
Chase DeLauter’s brief taste of the big leagues last October didn’t light up the box score - he went 1-for-6 in the postseason - but it did something arguably more important: it showed he belonged. After a rocky start to his pro career, derailed early by injuries, DeLauter’s debut was a meaningful step forward. Now, the expectations are starting to catch up.
The Guardians, who got minimal production from their corner outfielders in 2025, are counting on DeLauter to be a major part of their future. But while Cleveland fans might be ready to crown him the next big thing, the national outlook is a little more measured - at least for now.
MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo just dropped the latest Top 10 outfield prospects list, and DeLauter checks in at No. 10. It’s a respectable spot, but given his tools and upside, it might feel a little low to those who’ve followed his journey closely.
Injuries Cloud the Picture
There’s no denying DeLauter’s talent - it’s the availability that’s been the issue. He played just 34 games at Triple-A last season, slashing .278 with five home runs and 21 RBI. Solid numbers, but the sample size is small, and that’s been the story of his young career so far.
A right hamate fracture in July was the latest setback, likely costing him a chance to debut during the regular season. Instead, his first big-league action came under the October spotlight, and while the stat line was quiet, the moment didn’t look too big for him.
Still, in a system that values both performance and projection, that limited track record - combined with his injury history - is enough to keep him from climbing higher in the rankings. Mayo even tagged him as the outfielder with the “Most to Prove” on the list, which speaks volumes about both his upside and the questions that still surround him.
AL Central Arms Race
Adding another layer to the conversation: three other AL Central outfield prospects ranked ahead of DeLauter. Detroit’s Max Clark topped the list, followed by Minnesota’s Walker Jenkins at No. 2 and Chicago’s Braden Montgomery at No.
- All three are projected to arrive in the majors around the same time as DeLauter - 2026 - and all three are coming off strong seasons that helped boost their stock.
Clark, in particular, is trending toward elite territory after a standout year across High-A and Double-A. He finished 2025 as the No. 8 overall prospect in baseball and could climb even higher in the next round of rankings.
That’s the kind of company DeLauter is trying to keep - and the kind of pressure that comes with being a top prospect in a division that’s suddenly loaded with young outfield talent.
What Comes Next
If DeLauter had stayed healthy last year, there’s a good chance he’d have already shed his “prospect” label. Instead, he enters 2026 as a player with sky-high potential but still plenty to prove.
His spot on the Guardians’ roster isn’t locked in by performance - not yet. It’s still based largely on what he could be.
And that’s the double-edged sword of prospect hype. DeLauter has the tools to be a Rookie of the Year contender - no question. But Mayo’s ranking is a timely reminder that expectations need to be balanced with patience.
For now, DeLauter sits at the edge of the top 10, looking up at a few names ahead of him. But if he stays healthy and finally gets a full season under his belt, don’t be surprised if he climbs that list quickly - and makes a big impact in Cleveland along the way.