Chase DeLauter's comments on MLB debut gives Guardians fans silver lining for 2026

Last postseason Guardians fans got their first taste of Chase DeLauter at the major league level when he made his big league debut in Game 2 of the team’s Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers. 

It was an intoxicating look at one of the top prospects in the Guardians’ system, and provided a shot in the arm to a fanbase that spent the year watching Cleveland cycle through a variety of uninspiring players in the outfield. 

And while it seemed like DeLauter’s promotion came about quickly, he shined a new light on how that debut came about during a new hit with MLB Network.

Chase DeLauter’s debut in the postseason last season could set up strong showing in 2026 

News of DeLauter’s potential debut first started to trickle out the day before the series started when it was revealed that DeLauter was a part of the team’s postseason taxi squad, which was a bit surprising considering he hadn’t played in Triple-A since July due to a right hamate fracture. 

“I was just kind of preparing for the Fall League, and the Friday before the series started I got a call from (assistant general manager) James Harris who called me to Columbus to get some live at-bats out there. From there I moved up to practice on Monday and after practice, or maybe before, they told me I was going to be activated,” DeLauter told MLB Networks’ Harold Reynolds and Matt Vasgersian. 

DeLauter also said that the promotion surprised him as much as it surprised the entire baseball world, and that the coaching staff told him to consider the opportunity as “playing with house money.” 

DeLauter ended up going 1-for-6 with a walk and strikeout in his two games, and largely looked the part despite having his minor league career derailed by a variety of injuries. 

Initially it looked like those injuries were going to turn 2025 into a wash (he was preparing for the Fall League so he could get more at-bats), but his aggressive promotion helped end the season on a positive note. 

But now it’s time for him to turn the idea of playing with house money into something that’s a bit more normal with everyday playing time. Right now he’s existing in this weird liminal space where he’s made his MLB debut but hasn’t accrued any MLB service time. 

That will change the minute he makes his regular season debut, which should hopefully come on Opening Day when the Guardians travel to T-Mobile Park on March 26 for Opening Day. 

MLB Pipeline recently ranked DeLauter as the No. 10 outfield prospect along with being the No. 46 prospect in the sport, so it’s clear that the sky is the limit for him. 

He should get a chance to make good on that potential in 2026 so long as he stays healthy under more normal circumstances than his postseason debut.