Cleveland's outfield has been craving some power, and it looks like Chase DeLauter might just be the answer. The Guardians haven't seen a 20-homer season from an outfielder since Michael Brantley in 2014, and their main trio combined for only 11 homers in 2023. Enter DeLauter, poised to bring some much-needed pop as the everyday right fielder.
DeLauter is a rare talent, one of only six players to debut in the postseason, starting two games in center during last year's AL Wild Card Series. Ranked No. 46 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects, he's a unique blend of size, athleticism, and plate discipline.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, DeLauter's journey is impressive. He wasn't heavily scouted in high school but blossomed at James Madison, becoming the school's first-ever first-round pick in 2022. His college stats were eye-popping: a .402/.520/.715 slash line over three seasons, leading the Cape Cod League with nine homers and a .589 slugging percentage in 2021.
Injuries have been a hurdle. He broke his left foot during his draft year, requiring surgery that delayed his pro debut. More foot issues and a hamstring strain limited him to 39 games in 2024, and core muscle surgery further cut into his playtime last year.
When he's on the field, DeLauter shines. He's hit .302/.384/.504 with 20 homers in 138 Minor League games and .313/.417/.522 in the Arizona Fall League. His swing is unique, featuring a scissor kick and short follow-through, but his timing and power make him a threat to all fields.
Last season in Triple-A, DeLauter posted an average exit velocity of 91.2 mph, matching All-Star Will Smith's power. His discipline is notable, chasing only 17% of pitches outside the zone and nearly balancing walks and strikeouts. He's adept against all types of pitching, handling both lefties and righties with ease.
While DeLauter has plus speed, his base-running has become more cautious due to past injuries, attempting just three steals in two seasons. Defensively, he's versatile but excels in right field, boasting a strong arm that once fired low-90s fastballs as a pitcher.
DeLauter offered a glimpse of his potential by smashing two homers in an exhibition game against the Diamondbacks, covering 835 feet combined.
Manager Stephen Vogt summed it up: “Both of those were no-doubt home runs. Chase has had a great spring.
He’s hit the ball hard, had quality at-bats, played great defense, ran the bases well. ... We're really excited to watch Chase this year."
Cleveland fans, keep your eyes on DeLauter-he might just be the spark the outfield has been missing.