Guardians’ Chase DeLauter receives exciting bold prediction from ESPN’s Jeff Passan originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cleveland Guardians are once again heading into the upcoming season without major spending on the roster in free agency. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t hope for the team heading into 2026.

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Jose Ramirez is sure to have another incredible MVP-caliber season, but the Guardians’ biggest issue will be getting production from their lineup outside of Ramirez. Rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter, who made his MLB debut in the postseason, is one name to watch.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan shared a bold prediction on DeLauter, as he predicted that the Guardians outfielder would become the team’s second-best hitter in 2026. If DeLauter could have such a year, the Guardians would be in great shape for 2026.

Guardians’ Chase DeLauter predicted to be second-best hitter on team

“It wouldn’t surprise me if … Chase DeLauter is the second-best hitter in the Guardians’ lineup,” Passan predicts.

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While there are some injury concerns, if he can dispel them and stay healthy, DeLauter has “All-star caliber potential,” according to Passan.

The 24-year-old outfielder is having a strong spring training, hitting .389 with one home run and a 1.117 OPS in 18 at-bats. When he made his debut in 2025 in the postseason, DeLauter had one hit and one walk in six at-bats with a .453 OPS.

In his minor league career, the former first-round pick has yet to play a season of more than 57 games. He only played as much his first year professionally, followed by 39 in 2024 and then 42 in 2025.

More: Joey Wentz is out for the season with a torn ACL for the Braves

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When he did play last year, he hit .264 with an .852 OPS. The year before, he had a .261 average and .841 OPS, and in his first year in the Guardians farm system, he hit .355 with a .945 OPS.

While he’s struggled to stay healthy in his career, if he can break into the Majors and stay healthy, then Passan wouldn’t be surprised if DeLauter is the Guardians second-best hitter.

If that happens, DeLauter would be putting up better offensive production than Steven Kwan, Kyle Manzardo, CJ Kayfus, and any other hitter in the lineup next year.

If DeLauter can have such a year for the Guardians, then Cleveland might be in a far better spot offensively with Ramirez, Kwan, Manzardo, and DeLauter as the core of the offense.

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This prediction from Passan coming true would be an incredible outcome for the Guardians and would make for a very fun 2026 season in Cleveland.

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