In a move that's got Cleveland fans buzzing just hours before the wild-card series kicks off, the Guardians have added outfielder Chase DeLauter to their roster against the Tigers. The 23-year-old, long pegged as the team's top prospect, steps into the spotlight without a single major league at-bat under his belt. It's a bold call, especially with the pressure of October baseball bearing down.
DeLauter's path here hasn't been smooth, though. Drafted 16th overall in 2022 out of James Madison University, he's battled through a string of injuries—a sports hernia, foot issues, and most recently a broken hamate bone that sidelined him for months. This season alone, he posted a scorching 130 wRC+ in 81 minor league games, flashing elite power with a 91 mph average exit velocity that would top the Guardians' charts. But those setbacks meant he spent more time in rehab than raking in Columbus. Now, with the playoffs demanding fresh legs in the outfield, manager Stephen Vogt seems willing to roll the dice on the kid's raw talent.
Indeed, the addition comes right on the heels of DeLauter joining the taxi squad over the weekend, a subtle hint at what was brewing. In Tuesday's series opener, he even notched his first big-league outfield assist on a weird overturned call that kept the game knotted. However, questions linger about his readiness—can he handle the bright lights after such a bumpy road? The Guardians, clinging to their wild-card spot after a rollercoaster regular season, need every edge, and DeLauter's fly-ball tendencies could spell trouble for Detroit pitchers if he gets the nod.
Moreover, this isn't just about one player; it's a statement from a front office that's pushed hard to build around homegrown arms and bats. DeLauter, at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, embodies that patient rebuild, even if it meant waiting until now for his shot. But as the series unfolds, one can't help but wonder if this gamble pays off or joins the list of playoff what-ifs that haunt Cleveland faithful.