From a broken foot to a postseason debut: the rise of Chase DeLauter
In short: In 2022, a fractured foot halted Chase DeLauter's momentum just as he entered the professional ranks. Yet, the Cleveland Guardians' first-round pick overcame a series of injuries to make a historic Major League Baseball debut during the 2025 postseason.
Chase DeLauter's journey to the Major Leagues has been defined by both exceptional talent and significant physical setbacks. After a standout high school career in West Virginia, where he was named the Gatorade Player of the Year, DeLauter played for James Madison University. His university career showed great promise; he established a new school benchmark in 2020 by reaching base in every game for his initial 15 outings before the COVID-19 pandemic halted the season. He later earned Freshman All-American honors and was recognized as a top prospect following his time in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
The transition to professional baseball proved difficult due to recurring injuries. Selected 16th overall in the 2022 MLB draft by the Cleveland Guardians for $3.75 million, DeLauter's rookie season was lost to a broken foot. His professional ascent was further complicated by surgeries for a fifth toe fracture in early 2023, a hamstring injury, and a hamate fracture in 2025. He also faced challenges with turf toe and a rib fracture during his rise through the minor leagues.
Despite these hurdles, DeLauter achieved a rare milestone. On September 30, 2025, he was selected for the Guardians' roster for the wild card series against the Detroit Tigers. By making his debut in that game, he became only the seventh player in history to make a Major League debut during a postseason game. He continued his momentum into 2026, recording three hits and two solo home runs in his regular-season debut against the Seattle Mariners, eventually finishing the season with 16 home runs and 67 RBI.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Chase DeLauter
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