Guardians’ Chase DeLauter Makes MLB History on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Mar 29, 2026 6:25 AM ET

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter made his regular-season debut in Thursday's Opening Day matchup with the Seattle Mariners, but that wasn't his first big-league game. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder made his MLB debut in the AL Wild Card Round last season, making him the sixth player in the modern era to debut in the playoffs, per MLB.com.

DeLauter started in center field with the Guardians facing elimination in Game 2 against the Detroit Tigers on Oct. 1. They lost 2-1 in Game 1, and they needed an offensive spark after finishing 29th in baseball with a .669 OPS during the regular season.

DeLauter went 1-for-6 over the next two contests, and Cleveland was eliminated after losing Game 3 6-3. But the 24-year-old is now showing why the club turned to him with the season on the line.

DeLauter became the second player to ever hit four homers in his first three career regular-season games with his two-run shot to left in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Seattle Mariners, per MLB. Two-time All-Star shortstop Trevor Story first did it with the Colorado Rockies in 2016.

Chase DeLauter is the second player in MLB HISTORY to hit 4 HR in his first 3 career games pic.twitter.com/wWHjBVoSW4
— MLB (@MLB) March 29, 2026

Chase DeLauter Dominates Mariners

Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Chase DeLauter (24) © Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

DeLauter went yard twice in Thursday's 6-4 win, including a 358-foot solo shot to right center that opened the scoring in the top of the first inning. The West Virginia native followed up with another solo homer to right center in the ninth (422 feet), which was the final run of the contest.

DeLauter pulled another home run to right center in the top of the first on Friday, a 360-foot shot to open the scoring again. However, that ended Cleveland's offensive output, as it lost 5-1.

The team rebounded on Saturday with DeLauter's help, except this time he started the night 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. The 2022 first-round pick then came up in the 10th and worked a 2-2 count on reliever Andres Munoz before dispatching a high and outside fastball over the opposite-field wall, bringing the score to 6-3. Munoz had a 1.73 ERA over 64 outings last year.

DeLauter is MLB Pipeline's No. 45-ranked prospect and No. 2 in the Guardians' farm system. Second baseman Travis Bazzana is ranked No. 1 for Cleveland, but he's in Triple-A.

The Guardians have the chance to win the series on the road against the Mariners on Sunday night. Right-handed pitcher Slade Cecconi will start against right-hander Emerson Hancock, and the game begins at 7:20 p.m. ET on Peacock.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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