Chase DeLauter

The Guardians' big-league outfield is light on offensive impact potential, but that will change when DeLauter gets the call. The No. 16 overall pick in 2022, DeLauter broke his left foot midway through his junior year with James Madison and then broke a toe on that same foot during his rehab, so he didn't make his pro debut until June of 2023. He quickly made up for lost time, slashing .355/.417/.528 with five home runs, 22 doubles and six steals in 57 games across rookie ball, High-A and Double-A, with the bulk of those at-bats coming at High-A. A hulking 6-foot-4, 235-pound outfielder who can currently handle all three spots, DeLauter added to his 2023 ledger with a .299/.385/.529 line, five home runs and more walks than strikeouts in 23 Arizona Fall League games. Given his size and the physical nature of his game, it's a bit concerning that he has suffered multiple fractures on the same foot at this stage of his career, but DeLauter has looked like the best player on the field in most of the games he's played in over the past few years. He had 11 steals on 15 attempts in his 80 games last year, so while his speed should trend down in the coming years, DeLauter could be a five-category contributor in his early-20s. Despite the fact he only played six games at Double-A, DeLauter will likely look big-league ready early in 2024, so he's a viable high-upside flyer in draft-and-hold leagues.

DeLauter has been a well-known prospect in the 2022 draft class dating back to his exploits in the 2021 Cape Cod League, where he had a .986 OPS, nine home runs and more walks (21) than strikeouts (18) in 34 games. That data point is noteworthy not only because it was with a wood bat, but because he didn't face great competition in three years in the Colonial Athletic Association with James Madison. Cleveland can afford to be patient with DeLauter, whom they selected with the 16th overall pick. At 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, he's already got an XXL frame, and his left-handed swing can get long, so the main concern is how he will handle the type of velocity he will be seeing regularly for the first time in pro ball. There is a chance he ends up as a strong-side platoon bat. DeLauter runs well for his size, but could move from center field to right field. It's tough to predict how his above-average speed will age, as he already looks too big to move as well as he does, yet he shouldn't add much weight going forward. He broke his left foot midway through his junior season and won't make his pro debut until 2023.