Rookie Chase DeLauter Hits 3 Home Runs in First 2 Games

Chase DeLauter's phone won't stop buzzing, but the Cleveland Guardians rookie has better things to do than read his 804 text messages.

The 24-year-old outfielder just made baseball history by hitting three home runs in his first two career regular-season games. Only two other players have done this since 1900: Trevor Story in 2016 and Joe Cunningham way back in 1954.

After crushing two homers on Opening Day Thursday, DeLauter went deep again in his first plate appearance Friday against the Seattle Mariners. He also became just the fifth player in Cleveland franchise history to homer in each of his first two games, joining Hall of Famer Earl Averill and three others.

"He's insane," said Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams.

The best part? DeLauter's family was there to witness it all. His mom, dad, stepdad, brother, girlfriend, best friend, and his best friend's mom made the trip to Seattle for his regular-season debut.

"They love it. It's a blast," DeLauter said. "They've never really been to a bunch of big league ballparks. I've got a younger brother out here, so I'm sure he's loving it as well."

Sunny's Take

DeLauter's journey to this moment makes his success even sweeter. The first-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft battled multiple injuries that limited him to just 138 minor league games over nearly two years.

Cleveland fans waited patiently for his arrival, and now he's delivering beyond anyone's wildest expectations. His second homer Friday barely cleared the right-field wall as Seattle's Luke Raley leaped to catch it, but DeLauter's smart approach to angles gave him the edge.

Despite the historic start, DeLauter refuses to get caught up in the moment. Even after Thursday's two-homer game, he was already focused on Friday's matchup. "It's something that's hard to focus on right now," he explained. "I'm just focused on tomorrow, making sure I'm available tomorrow night."

As for those 804 unread texts? DeLauter promises he'll get back to the important people eventually. "I'm making sure I begin with the close people in my life," he said with a smile. "But unfortunately, if anyone that's listening texted me, I'm sorry, but I'm just not going to get to all of them."

For now, Guardians fans are just enjoying watching their patient wait pay off in spectacular fashion.