CLEVELAND -- The Guardians’ implausible, impossible, improbable roller-coaster ride of a 2025 season saved one of its greatest twists for the playoffs.
Cleveland unveiled its 26-man roster for the American League Wild Card Series on Tuesday, and it includes outfielder Chase DeLauter (ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Guardians’ No. 2 prospect, No. 54 overall), who suddenly is positioned to make his MLB debut on the postseason stage.
“He's an impact bat that we could add, and we're going to go for it,” manager Stephen Vogt said.
Only five players have made their MLB debut in the playoffs, and DeLauter last played this season on July 11, when he was with Triple-A Columbus. The 23-year-old outfielder underwent right wrist surgery for a hamate fracture in July. He was slated to begin playing in the Arizona Fall League next week. To call his inclusion on Cleveland’s roster for this series a surprise would be an understatement.
But at this point, nothing should come as a surprise with the Guardians, who won the AL Central this month behind a 19-4 surge -- which they bookended with the greatest in-season comeback to clinch a playoff berth in baseball history.
“When we looked to add a bat, Chase was healthy and he's the best bat we have available to us,” Vogt said. “We thought it would be a good idea to get him on the roster.”
DeLauter’s talent has never been in question. He’s 6-foot-3, athletic and has impressive plate discipline and power. His light-tower power was on display in batting practice during the Guardians’ off-day workout on Monday at Progressive Field.
The Guardians selected DeLauter 16th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, and he has a career .302/.384/.504 slash line in the Minors with 20 homers and 87 RBIs, along with 70 walks and 80 strikeouts. But he’s been limited to 138 career games due to various injuries.
DeLauter played 39 games in 2024 after dealing with a fracture in his left foot, which he had surgically repaired a year prior. He also dealt with a sprained right big toe and a right hamstring strain. He started the ‘25 season on the IL after undergoing core muscle surgery in March, and the hamate surgery ultimately ended his regular season.
In between, all DeLauter did was slash .278/.383/.476 in 34 games with Columbus. He reached base in every game he played. If not for the wrist surgery, he would have been promoted months ago.
DeLauter said Monday he began to hit two or three weeks after surgery. His progression hit a speed bump, which led to him receiving a cortisone shot, and he got back to hitting a few weeks later. He had been working out in Arizona in preparation for the Fall League; Vogt noted DeLauter was hitting in live batting practice sessions and off a Trajekt machine.
The team is comfortable with where he is at, despite his last game action in affiliated ball coming nearly three months ago.
DeLauter had primarily played right field in the Minors (477 2/3 innings), but worked out in center field during Monday’s workout, under the guidance of Guardians outfield/baserunning coach J.T. Maguire.
Vogt acknowledged the Guardians don’t know exactly how this will work out, and they’ll get a better feel for how DeLauter can fit on the roster as they go along. But the possibilities were tantalizing to a team that is looking to continue its magical ride, and it’s another reason for its fan base to believe.
“When he walked into the clubhouse,” Vogt said, “He was like, ‘I'm ready to go. I couldn't be more thrilled to be here. Was not big-eyed at all. He's ready to help us win games.’”
The Guardians' roster includes 15 position players and 11 pitchers. With it being a best-of-three series, the roster does not include starters Parker Messick or Logan Allen (who threw 88 pitches in Sunday’s regular-season finale). Both figure to be options for the staff if the Guardians advance to the ALDS.
Joey Cantillo (who made 21 relief appearances this season) made the roster in the bullpen. Here is the full group:
Catchers: Austin Hedges, Bo Naylor
Infielders: Gabriel Arias, Kyle Manzardo, Angel Martínez, José Ramírez, Brayan Rocchio, Daniel Schneemann
Outfielders: Chase DeLauter, Petey Halpin, C.J. Kayfus, Steven Kwan, Jhonkensy Noel, Johnathan Rodríguez, George Valera
Starters: Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Slade Cecconi
Relievers: Kolby Allard, Joey Cantillo, Matt Festa, Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin, Jakob Junis, Erik Sabrowski, Cade Smith