Chase DeLauter is one of the most-hyped prospects in the recent history of the Cleveland Guardians.
But the very first opportunity he got on a big league field was painful to watch.
DeLauter was playing centerfield in Cleveland on Wednesday afternoon in Game 2 against the Detroit Tigers, and the sun was shining and the wind was whipping.
The game's second batter, Gleyber Torres, flew a fly ball to center that started hooking to the left-center back.
DeLauter stuck his glove up to block the sun but clearly didn't see the baseball right away.
By the time his vision seemed to clear, DeLauter had to quickly shuffle to his right, but while he got his glove to the ball, it popped out.
Chase DeLauter just dropped the first ball ever hit to him in an MLB game pic.twitter.com/ayc6lGJr2u
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 1, 2025
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You've got to feel for DeLauter. This isn't entirely his fault.
The sky had given the centerfielders trouble all day long in Game 1.
It's also hard to play in an MLB stadium for the first time given the third deck of stands creating a different visual on fly balls.
But the reality is this: DeLauter couldn't have gotten his MLB career off to a much worse start.
Now the Guardians will hope he's resilient and can show what he's made of when his next opportunities come.
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