Guardians Add Prospect Chase DeLauter to AL Wild Card Roster Against Tigers

The Cleveland Guardians have named top prospect Chase DeLauter to their roster for the 2025 AL Wild Card series against the Detroit Tigers, despite him not having made his Major League debut yet. DeLauter, the team's No. 2 prospect and a 2022 first-round draft pick, has shown strong performance in Triple-A with a .278 batting average, demonstrating power and plate discipline, but missed much of the season due to multiple injuries and surgeries. The Guardians' decision to include DeLauter in the postseason roster is notable as he could become one of the few players in MLB history to debut in the playoffs, a rare and high-pressure scenario. Although he is not slated to start, his left-handed hitting ability makes him a valuable bench asset against the Tigers' pitching staff, particularly against left-handed pitchers. The Guardians, who made a remarkable comeback to clinch the AL Central title, see DeLauter as their best available bat and plan to utilize him as a strategic advantage during the best-of-three series. This move highlights the organization's confidence in DeLauter's talent and potential impact even before his official Major League debut.