After wearing the Guardians' home run crown most of the week, Chase DeLauter has a new piece of hardware.
The rookie outfielder is the first Guardians player to win this award since José Ramírez was honored last July.
DeLauter made his regular-season debut on Opening Day and batted .363 with 4 home runs and a 1.059 slugging percentage in four games against the Seattle Mariners. In the process, DeLauter became the second player in MLB history to hit four home runs in their first three games (Trevor Story, 2016).
He also became the first player in franchise history to hit multiple home runs in his regular-season debut and the fifth in franchise history to hit a home run in his first career plate appearance.
“Just trying to get good swings on the ball,” DeLauter told media after his 10th-inning home run on Saturday. "I'll keep preaching a great group of guys behind me… they have my back from the second we start, to the second we finish. And think that really goes a long way. Confidence and conviction and showing up to the box every time.”
The 24-year-old made his MLB debut for the Guards during the 2025 AL Wild Card Series against Detroit.
"It's incredible. You know, we saw this kid make his debut in the Postseason. He was not big-eyed, and then he comes into Opening Day, for him to come up, get a home run his first [at bat] and then get us the insurance run,” Guardians Manager Stephen Vogt said on Thursday. “He's worked extremely hard, and he's a very talented player.”
In the National League, another Ohio rookie takes home weekly honors as Sal Stewart was named NL Player of the Week.
