Cleveland's long-awaited moment arrived Tuesday night as outfield prospect Chase DeLauter stepped onto the Progressive Field turf for his major league debut, joining the Guardians' wild-card roster just in time for their tense series against the Detroit Tigers. The 23-year-old, drafted 16th overall in 2022 out of James Madison University, has battled through a string of injuries—foot issues, a sports hernia, and a broken hamate bone—that sidelined him for much of the past two seasons. Yet here he was, patrolling right field in a game that could define Cleveland's October run.
DeLauter's addition felt like a gamble, a bold push amid the team's injury-riddled outfield. He'd mashed minor-league pitching with a 130 wRC+ in limited action this year, flashing elite exit velocities around 91 mph and hard-hit rates north of 50 percent. But major-league readiness? That was the question mark hovering over this move. Indeed, the Guardians' front office seemed to bet on his raw power and fly-ball tendencies to spark something in a lineup that's leaned too heavily on veterans lately.
In the fourth inning of Game 1, DeLauter wasted no time making his mark. With the score knotted at 1-1, Tigers baserunner Colt Keith tried stretching a single into a double; DeLauter's laser throw from right field nailed him at second, but umpires initially called him safe. Video review overturned it, preserving the tie and handing Cleveland a crucial break. That assist, DeLauter's first in the bigs, underscored why the club rushed him up—pure arm strength and instincts that could tilt close contests. However, his bat stayed quiet in the 2-0 loss, going 0-for-2 with a walk, a reminder that prospects don't always ignite on command.
Earlier this summer, injury updates painted a grim picture: a brutal hand fracture in July that delayed his Triple-A return, followed by rehab stints in Arizona. The Guardians' medical team finally cleared him in late September, and now he's thrust into the playoff spotlight. Moreover, with outfield depth thin—Guys like Steven Kwan nursing tweaks—the timing couldn't be more precarious. DeLauter's journey from West Virginia high school star to this stage has been anything but smooth, marked by setbacks that tested his resolve.
As the series shifts to a decisive Game 3, one wonders if this rookie's glove and potential pop will help Cleveland claw back against Detroit's resilient squad.