One year after historic debut, DeLauter key for Guardians in return to playoffs

CLEVELAND -- The magnitude of it all really began to kick in when Chase DeLauter saw the Guardians’ lineup card.

It was actually happening. He was going to make his big league debut in the postseason, in Game 2 of the 2025 AL Wild Card Series vs. the Tigers.

“I had no idea the night before that I was playing that next day,” DeLauter recalled recently. “Obviously, I saw the lineup. I didn't have any appetite. I couldn't finish my breakfast or anything like that.”

DeLauter last year became only the sixth player in MLB history to debut in the postseason, following a whirlwind few days. He went from completing rehab work at the Guardians’ Arizona complex -- following July surgery for a right hamate fracture, in preparation for a stint in the Arizona Fall League -- to starting an MLB postseason elimination game.

Last October, DeLauter was the kid debuting in center field, who dropped a pop fly that got lost in the sun in an early moment of adversity. This time around, he’s a centerpiece to the American League Central champion Guardians, who are looking to make some noise this fall.

When DeLauter sees his name slotted in the Guardians' lineup for Game 1 of the AL Division Series at Progressive Field on Saturday, it won’t be a surprise if his hunger is at a maximum.

• Postseason FAQ: What's next for the Guardians?

“We've seen what he can do over the course of the season, and now he knows what he can do in the big leagues,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “He came to the playoffs [last year] not knowing what he could do in the big leagues, and he still performed really well.

“It's exciting knowing he's got a year under his belt now.”

DeLauter’s appearance in two postseason games last year was an appetizer to his impressive rookie campaign this season. The 24-year-old logged a .287/.363/.457 slash line in 133 games, hitting a team-leading 30 doubles with 16 home runs, 67 RBIs, 60 walks and just 82 strikeouts.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, DeLauter is only the second rookie in Cleveland franchise history to finish in the top five in the AL in batting average, joining Shoeless Joe Jackson (.408, second in 1911).

DeLauter, who finished fifth this season, became the seventh Cleveland rookie to rank in the top 10 and the first since Steven Kwan (.298, ninth) in 2022.

“We couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Vogt said of DeLauter’s season.

DeLauter began 2026 in grand fashion by becoming only the seventh player in MLB history to hit two home runs in their regular-season debut. But he showed this year he’s much more than a slugger, and rather a complete hitter who can do damage in a number of ways.

“Lefties, righties, it doesn't matter,” Kwan said. “It's very comforting having him there knowing he can put up good at-bats. He's been a really steady stream of confidence throughout the whole year.”

DeLauter’s right hamate surgery last year sidelined him for most of the final three months of the Minor League season. It was one of several injury-related speed bumps he hit on his path to the Majors. This season, he has proven largely durable.

DeLauter set a new career high in games played at any professional level, surpassing the 57 contests he played in the Minors in 2023. While he had a few ailments this year (a right ribcage fracture that required an injured list stint, and a left hamstring and a right wrist issue), he has been a fixture in the Cleveland lineup.

“My only goals going into the year were to play as many games as I possibly could and to be healthy for the whole season,” DeLauter said. “Obviously, I had some nicks and bruises in there and that wasn't fully completed in terms of being available for a full season.

“But being available for this chunk of games for the first time in my career, I'm proud of myself for that.”

The Guardians would not have gotten this far without DeLauter. He has found a home atop the order, often hitting between stars Kwan and José Ramírez in the No. 2 hole.

DeLauter got a taste of the high-stakes playoff atmosphere last year. He’s had a heck of a season already, and a lot more could be in store.

“Being around these guys and winning games and getting into the postseason is unmatched,” DeLauter said.