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It’s hard to have a better MLB regular season debut than Cleveland Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter.
In the Guardians’ 6-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday at T-Mobile Park, DeLauter hit two home runs in his regular-season debut, becoming the sixth player to do so. The top prospect debuted in the American League Wild Card Series last fall, so Thursday wasn’t DeLauter’s first taste of major league action, but he said he’ll never forget his regular-season debut.
“That’s something I’ll never forget,” DeLauter said of his postseason debut last year. “I won’t forget this one either, don’t get me wrong.”
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Cleveland Guardians’ Chase DeLauter runs around the bases after hitting a solo home run off Seattle Mariners starter Logan Gilbert during the first inning of an Opening Day baseball game in Seattle, Washington, on March 26, 2026. (Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo)
In the first inning, the 24-year-old hit Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert’s 85 mph slider 358 feet over the right field wall for his first major league home run, giving the Guardians a 1-0 lead.
He became the fifth player in the 126-year history of the Cleveland franchise to hit a home run in the first at-bat of his career in the regular season. He is the first Guardians player to do so since Jhonkensy Noel on June 26, 2024.
DeLauter’s second explosion of the game came in the ninth inning, when he crushed Mariners reliever Cooper Criswell’s cutter 422 feet to right-center field, providing a key insurance run that gave the Guardians a 6-4 lead.
“He’s not from this planet,” reliever Erik Sabrowski said of DeLauter, according to The Athletic.
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Cleveland Guardians’ Chase DeLauter runs around the bases after hitting a solo home run off Seattle Mariners starter Logan Gilbert during the first inning of an Opening Day baseball game in Seattle, Washington, on March 26, 2026. (Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo)
DeLauter finished the night 3 for 5, tying him with senior slugger Rhys Hoskins for the team lead in hits. Hoskins was particularly impressed with how unflappable DeLauter was in just his third major league game.
“Maybe he doesn’t know, maybe ignorance is bliss,” Hoskins said. “But to have such a slow beat, in a home opener, obviously their crowd is excited about what this team was able to do last year. So yeah, just great.”
DeLauter is thrilled to be close to the team and available. In DeLauter’s three seasons in the organization, he has only played in 138 games while dealing with a litany of injuries.
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Cleveland Guardians’ Chase DeLauter celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run off Seattle Mariners starter Logan Gilbert during the first inning of an Opening Day baseball game in Seattle, Washington, on March 26, 2026. (Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo)
“I mean, I’m excited to be around the guys,” DeLauter said. “I’m excited to be available. Really excited to be playing meaningful baseball again.”
DeLauter will look to continue his strong start when the Guardians (1-0) play the Mariners (0-1) again on Friday at 9:45 p.m. ET.
