CLEVELAND — Chase DeLauter sat in the home dugout at Progressive Field on Monday afternoon, wearing a red T-shirt adorned with the Guardians’ script. Printed underneath were the words “BUILT FOR FALL.”
It’s perhaps a fitting analogy for DeLauter (the Guardians’ No. 2 prospect and No. 54 overall, according to MLB Pipeline), who suddenly appears to be a candidate to join Cleveland’s roster for the American League Wild Card Series — which would position him to make his big league debut in the postseason.
At the very least, DeLauter appears very much under consideration, certainly given that the Guardians announced he is part of their taxi squad for the series. It was a surprising development on Monday, when Cleveland went through a team workout ahead of Tuesday’s series opener.
“We’re talking through what we’re going to do,” said manager Stephen Vogt of the taxi squad, which also includes catcher Dom Nuñez. “We’re still trying to figure out exactly what we want the roster to look like.
“There’s a case to be made for both of them to be active, so they’re going to be here working out with us today, and then we’re going to finalize the roster.”
DeLauter took fly balls in center field and on-field batting practice during Monday’s workout. If he makes the Guardians’ roster and appears in a game, he would join an exclusive group of players to make their MLB debuts in the postseason.
“It would be an absolute dream come true,” DeLauter said. “It’s a dream come true just to be here and be a part of the team and have a chance to play in some meaningful games. We’ll see what happens.”
The Guardians would first have to add DeLauter to their 40-man roster (which is at 39) before they add him to their Wild Card roster. That he was even in Cleveland on Monday was a unique development.
DeLauter (the Guardians’ first-round Draft pick in 2022) has been one of Cleveland’s most anticipated prospects in recent years. The 6-foot-3 outfielder slashed .302/.384/.504 with 20 homers, 87 RBIs and 70 walks with 80 strikeouts in 138 career Minor League games. But his developmental pathway has hit multiple speed bumps due to injuries.
DeLauter played in just 39 games in 2024 because he was sidelined by a fractured bone in his left foot (which had been surgically repaired one year prior), a sprained right big toe and a right hamstring strain. He appeared in 42 games this season; he underwent core muscle surgery in March and wrist surgery in July for a fractured hamate. He last played for Triple-A Columbus on July 12.
“Obviously, the injuries have unfortunately not gone my way,” DeLauter said. “Really, though, it’s put the head down and go from there. … I’ve really learned how to just go day by day, and go from there, and just try to get my body right as best as I can and see what happens.”
DeLauter said he resumed hitting two or three weeks after surgery and got into some games at the Guardians’ Spring Training complex in Arizona. He had a hiccup in his progression, got a cortisone shot and took some time off. Cleveland announced this month that he would play in the Arizona Fall League for the third consecutive year, and he has spent the past few weeks building up.
DeLauter recently traveled to Columbus to get his car and was going to spend a few days at home before returning to Arizona for the Fall League. The Guardians told him to hang back in Columbus and to “stay hot, stay ready.”
Cleveland has a deep outfield mix, but there could be an avenue to add DeLauter to its roster by taking off a starting pitcher who otherwise would be in the bullpen, such as Joey Cantillo or Parker Messick. Active rosters include 26 players in the postseason, and in recent years, some teams have carried 15 position players and just 11 pitchers because a maximum of three starters are needed for the Wild Card Series.
DeLauter was in Columbus on Sunday, when the Guardians clinched the American League Central. He has seen the atmosphere at Progressive Field on TV as Cleveland pushed for a postseason spot, and whether he is on the roster or taxi squad, he is looking forward to taking it all in on Tuesday.
“I’m excited,” DeLauter said. “I bet it’ll be real loud, tough to hear. I’m sure it’ll be a very good environment tomorrow.”