A big spring from Chase DeLauter would help alleviate concerns about Guardians' offense

The state of the Cleveland Guardians offense heading into spring training has not been well received. Cleveland's front office is more than willing to have their fate depend on its own internal options rather than add someone from outside the organization to stabilize and elevate its output. While this is not ideal, there is one player who could make the concerns about this team's offensive potential with a solid showing in spring training. That player? Chase DeLauter.

DeLauter was limited to just 39 games last season, but when he was available, he did impress, slashing .261/.342/.500 with 10 doubles and eight home runs across three levels in Cleveland's minor league system. The most encouraging part about his progression is that he did not struggle when he was promoted to the next level, continuing to put together solid offensive numbers no matter the skill level faced.

It would not be entirely surprising if DeLauter pushed for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Just last spring, DeLauter forced the Guardians into having a conversation they did not expect to have, informing him that he was going to the minors despite his strong performance in Arizona. Now, with another minor league season under his belt, that conversation could go an entirely different way this time around, and the Guardians would be better off for it.

The potential of DeLauter has even caught the eye of The Athletic's Jim Bowden, appearing as part of Thirty top Rookie of the Year candidates I can’t wait to watch in MLB spring training (subscription required). Bowden notes his issues with staying healthy but also states the benefits of what his presence could bring to the Guardians in 2025.

"When healthy, he’s demonstrated an elite hit tool, something the Guardians could use at the major-league level after trading Josh Naylor to the Diamondbacks in the offseason," writes Bowden, making note of Cleveland trading their former first baseman to Arizona. While bringing back Carlos Santana on a one-year deal will help make up for the offensive output lost from Naylor, it would be a lot more encouraging to see someone else step up in his absence rather than banking on a soon-to-be 39-year-old Santana to be the solution to their problem.

If DeLauter were to make the roster out of spring, it would elevate the talent level of the overall roster, but most importantly, their outfield. The Guardians have one true every day outfielder in Steven Kwan with the likes of Lane Thomas, Will Brennan, and Jhonkensy Noel taking up residence in center and right field.

DeLauter could easily surpass the contributions of those three if given the chance, and that is something the Guardians must consider when putting their roster together out of spring. Of course, a strong performance from DeLauter would help make that decision easier, and it would present a much stronger group ahead of the start of the regular season.