With the first pitch of the first game of the American League Wild Card series starting off in just a few hours, Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt is taking a calculated risk.

Leading up to their series against the Detroit Tigers, the Guardians have officially announced their playoff roster, and you can find top prospect outfielder Chase DeLauter on it.

Following that, pitchers Logan Allen, Parker Messick, and Zak Kent are all off the roster.

DeLauter has been one of the Guardians’ most prized prospects since they drafted him 16th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft. Not only that, MLB.com has him as the 54th-ranked prospect of all MLB.

Known for being incredibly disciplined at the plate with an incessant ability to hit for both power and getting on base, DeLauter hasn’t had the ability to stay on the field due to countless injuries. 

In his draft year, he dealt with a broken foot that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Following that in January of 2023, he underwent surgery to fix a fracture in his left foot, and that sidelined him for four-to-five months.

To continue the trend of staying off the field, DeLautter underwent core surgery during spring training that eventually took him out for 8-12 weeks.

So it’s been an arduous process for the 23-year-old.

But now he’s healthy, and he’ll be ready for the Postseason should Stephen Vogt call upon him.

Initially, DeLauter was named to Cleveland’s taxi squad. But the Guardians have lacked any real power from their outfielders at the plate (or batting average for that matter, outside of All Star Steven Kwan), so DeLauter is getting thrown into the fire.

This season, while playing for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, DeLauter only played in 34 games, while batting .278, five home runs, and 21 RBIs. He hasn't played in a game since July 11th.

It’s a major sign of confidence from Vogt to put DeLauter in this position. 

Earlier this week, Guardians outfield coach J.T. Maguire was seen delivering a crash course to him on where the grass meets the dirt, as well as the green padded wall in the outfield according to The Athletic’s Zack Meisel

Only five players in Major League Baseball history have made their debuts in playoff baseball – pitchers Shane McClanahan and Ryan Weathers, along with position players in Alex Kirilloff, Adalberto Mondesi and Mark Kiger.

Perhaps DeLauter’s story would’ve been a bit different. The talent he brings could’ve easily helped the Guardians this season, but his inability to stay on the field has put him in very exclusive company.

It’s a big ask for the 23-year-old, but he is the Guardians’ top prospect for good reason.