PHOENIX -- Chase DeLauter had clearance for liftoff at Chase Field on Monday night. He looks ready to take off once the 2026 regular season gets underway.
DeLauter belted a pair of home runs, which traveled a Statcast-projected 835 feet in total, in the Guardians’ 7-0 win over the D-backs. The 24-year-old (who’s ranked as Cleveland’s No. 2 prospect and No. 46 overall, according to MLB Pipeline) added a walk in the club’s penultimate tuneup before Opening Day on Thursday.
“Both of those were no-doubt home runs,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “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."
Monday was also one of DeLauter’s final tuneups before he embarks upon his first big league season. It perhaps should not come as a surprise, but he has, of course, made the Guardians’ Opening Day roster, and he can’t wait to get started.
For the past three seasons, DeLauter has dealt with injuries that have limited his time on the field. When he’s played, he has shown incredible potential as a middle-of-the-order presence. That led the Guardians to selecting him 16th overall in the 2022 Draft.
DeLauter has the talent to star in the big leagues. He’s ready for the new challenge and to see what he can do.
“So excited,” DeLauter said. “But I would say I'm more excited just to play the most meaningful, winning baseball again.”
DeLauter hit second in the lineup Monday, between Steven Kwan and José Ramírez. In the first inning, he got a 3-1 curveball from D-backs starter Merrill Kelly and crushed it 448 feet just to the right of the batter’s eye in center field. The blast had a 109.0 mph exit velocity.
"That guy is so good, it's insane," said starter Slade Cecconi, who allowed one hit and two walks over four scoreless innings. "You don't see a lot of guys take balls to straightaway center. A 3-1 curveball to straightaway center, he sat on it. You don't see that among the best among the best. It's really exciting to watch what he's doing at the plate."
In the fifth, DeLauter got a 1-0 four-seam fastball from Jonathan Loáisiga and belted it 387 feet over the right-field fence. The home run had a 98.1 mph exit velocity.
DeLauter has slashed .459/.535/.838 with five doubles, three homers and six walks with just four strikeouts over 14 games this spring. He has been steadily durable, beyond a brief bit of lower-body soreness early in camp as he reacclimated to the rigors of playing.
This spring has helped DeLauter and the team learn what he needs to do to feel physically ready to play each day
“It’s been solid,” DeLauter said of his spring. “The main focus has been trying to be available as much as possible, really. Of course, I'm working on my swing and stuff, working on my fielding, working on running the bases and getting better at that. But I mean, the main priority for me is just making sure I feel good every day, and it kind of helps all the other stuff fall into place.”
If things go to plan this year, DeLauter will be a big part of the Guardians playing winning baseball. He could assert himself as a top candidate in the AL Rookie of the Year race with his special blend of power and plate discipline.
After his experience the past few years, there is an ultimate focus heading into the regular season.
“Now it’s just ‘We go win games,’” DeLauter said.