Guardians: Chase DeLauter credits preparation for red-hot start to rookie season

CLEVELAND — The much-anticipated arrival of Chase DeLauter has exceeded expectations so far. One of Cleveland's top prospects started his season with four home runs in his first three regular-season games against Seattle. His huge weekend earned him American League Player of the Week honors, the first Guardians rookie to win the award since Steven Kwan for the week ending Sept. 25, 2022. "It's just preparation," DeLauter said. "Making sure you know what the pitcher is trying to do, knowing their strengths, knowing your own strengths and putting in the work before the game. And then just confidence. Going out there and trusting it." DeLauter's road to the majors has been marred by injuries since he was drafted 16th overall by the Guardians in 2022. He did not make his professional debut until June 2023 because of multiple foot injuries, but the wait was worth it after he hit .355 with five home runs and 39 RBIs between rookie level and High-A Lake County. He put together a .841 OPS with eight home runs and 24 RBIs predominately with Double-A Akron in 2024, reaching Triple-A Columbus toward the end of the season. That put DeLauter in position to challenge for a roster spot in the spring of 2025, but he underwent surgery for a sports hernia in March. Just as he was getting back on track in Columbus, a wrist injury forced another surgery in July. That did not stop him from getting back to the field and earning a spot on Cleveland's postseason roster, as he made his MLB debut in Game 2 of the team's wild card series against Detroit, going 0-for-2 with a walk. He got his first major league hit in Game 3. "It helped," DeLauter said of playing in the postseason. "That's probably one of the most pressure situations you can be thrown into. Doing that kind of helped me just relax a lot coming out after the spring. Of course, I still felt the need to make the team this spring and show what I can do, but after that I've experienced that first time running out on the field. Already done that, already had the huge swing of emotions between early on in the game with the first inning and getting a hit the next game. I've already gone through that." DeLauter added that he's comfortable hitting anywhere in the lineup, but the Guardians have him firmly slotted in the No. 2 position right now. During his home run rampage, DeLauter went 5-for-14 with four home runs, five RBIs and an OPS of 1.571. He's come back down to earth in his next three games, going 1-for-4 with no extra base hits and two strikeouts. DeLauter exited Tuesday's game against the Dodgers after fouling a pitch off of his left foot in the first inning. X-rays came back negative, but he was held out of the lineup Wednesday. DeLauter, who was the team's designated hitter on Friday, said prior to the game he feels good enough to play the field when called upon. "For me, I don't really try to have an award-goal oriented season," DeLauter said. "I think it's great, it's honorable and something I'm really proud of. But for me there's no goal to get it or anything like that or anything looking forward. It's just coming in here and trying to win games, the rest takes care of itself." Contact Chris Sweeney at sports@medina-gazette.com. Follow him @CSweeney1686 on X.