2 The Bigs

By Sal Corso:

I will try not be too biased on this one. Chase DeLauter was drafted in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of my alma mater, James Madison University. He currently sits as baseball’s 85^th best prospect and fourth for the Cleveland Guardians on MLB.com. That may seem low to you for a 16th-overall drafted player from a previous year’s draft.

The reason is because he fractured his foot to start the season, which sidelined him for almost six months. If anybody thought that would impact a young, newly-turned professional player’s mindset… it didn’t.

As a lefty corner outfielder with a 60-power tool, you’d think DeLauter would be an all-or-nothing home run bat.

You thought wrong.

DeLauter spent a very short nine-game stint in rookie-ball before he was sent up to the High-A level. In 42 games there, he slashed .366/.403/.952 and made his way up to Double-A before the season ended.

He hit .364 with a .464 OBP across nine games in Double-A, by the way.

Everything about his advanced metrics make his “all-around hitter” case even stronger.

DeLauter’s 36-percent pull rate was the 24^th lowest amongst the top-150 prospects in the minor leagues. This means he hits the ball to all fields. He finished fifth out of that 150 in batting average.

Last, but certainly not least, he had a 12.4-percent strikeout-rate across three levels. Remember, what he did in in his first pro season. He also finished top-10 amongst that same 150 players in that category. In a time where the highest potential prospects go several seasons with a 20-percent-plus strikeout-rate, this was great to see.

The foot injury that he suffered in his first minor league season may have caused him to lose time; but he’s making up for that with his appearance in the Arizona Fall League. If it wasn’t for his teammate Kyle Manzardo’s hot start leading the league in homers and OPS, DeLauter would be the top minor league storyline in the Guardians; system.  

DeLauter picked up right where he left off in his minor league season. In his first 12 Arizona Fall League games, he has 11 hits and eight walks, with only five strikeouts across 42 at-bats.

DeLauter is a 22-year-old who played three seasons at JMU, so his time in the minors may not seem long. DeLauter has still hit at every league he’s played in. From college to the Cape Cod League, to three minor league levels, and now the Arizona Fall League.

Given the Guardians lack of outfield depth at the pro level, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a September call-up next in 2024.

Is it a bit crazy of a prediction? Yes. Out of the question? No. Regardless, DeLauter is setting himself up to be a staple for a franchise that desperately needs a superstar and one that could use a strong outfield bat.

Go snatch up his 1st-Bowman Auto. It comes from the stacked up 2022 Bowman Draft set, and he’s one of the better values buys given his price.

You can grab a PSA 10 base auto of his for $150-$200 this offseason, or if you had a great week, why not go for the Blue Refractor /150 PSA 10 for around $500? Although, maybe wait for the fall league to come to an end, as he keeps making headlines.