Chase DeLauter launched two home runs in his regular-season debut, powering the Cleveland Guardians to a 6-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Opening Day at T-Mobile Park. The 24-year-old prospect became the first in franchise history to achieve the feat. DeLauter went 3-for-5 in the game.
SEATTLE -- In a stunning regular-season debut, Cleveland Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter homered twice, leading his team to a 6-4 win against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday at T-Mobile Park. The 24-year-old, ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 46 overall prospect, finished 3-for-5. His performance marked him as the first player in Guardians franchise history to hit multiple home runs in a regular-season debut and the seventh in Major League Baseball since Trevor Story in 2016, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. DeLauter debuted in the majors last fall during the postseason, following a first-round selection in the 2022 MLB Draft and several injury setbacks in the minors. Guardians reliever Erik Sabrowski, who faced DeLauter in the farm system, called him “not from this planet.” First baseman Rhys Hoskins, in his own Guardians debut with a 3-for-3 night including a double and a walk, praised DeLauter’s composure: “I think the coolest part is that he's not afraid of the moment… just super cool.” DeLauter’s first homer came off a 3-2 slider from Mariners starter Logan Gilbert, traveling a projected 358 feet at 102.2 mph exit velocity. His second, a solo shot off reliever Cooper Criswell on a 0-1 cutter, went 422 feet at 111.1 mph, helping seal the win. Family members, including his father Jason from West Virginia, watched from prime seats. “It’s unbelievable,” Jason DeLauter said. “He’s just worked… None of this was guaranteed.” DeLauter shrugged off the milestone: “It's cool, but come back and get a win tomorrow.” Guardians president Chris Antonetti noted the team will manage DeLauter’s playing time carefully due to his limited 138 minor-league games. Manager Stephen Vogt added excitement about the rookie: “We’re really excited about Chase.” The Guardians, pursuing a third straight division title, relied on young talent like DeLauter after a quiet offseason highlighted by adding Hoskins.
