The Cleveland Guardians have another Opening Day starting right fielder.
Opening Day means the beginning of a new season, but for the Cleveland Guardians, it also means a certain streak lives on.
The Guardians revealed their Opening Day lineup on Tuesday evening ahead of their contest against the Seattle Mariners, and one of the most notable parts of the lineup was Chase DeLauter hitting second, but more importantly, playing right field.
With DeLauter starting in right field, it’ll make the 15th straight year that the Guardians will have a different right fielder on Opening Day.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane.
Here’s the list:
- Jhonkensy Noel - 2025
- Ramon Laureano - 2024
- Will Brennan - 2023
- Steven Kwan - 2022
- Josh Naylor - 2021
- Domingo Santana - 2020
- Tyler Naquin - 2019
- Lonnie Chisenhall - 2018
- Abraham Almonte - 2017
- Collin Cowgill - 2016
- Brandon Moss - 2015
- David Murphy - 2014
- Drew Stubbs - 2013
- Shin-Soo Choo - 2012
Oct 1, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians center fielder Chase DeLauter (34) catches the ball hit by Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows (not pictured) in the sixth inning during game two of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesThis streak was destined to live on in the middle of the offseason when the Guardians designated Jhonkensy Noel, or Big Christmas, for assignment a week before the holiday. Noel ended up with the Baltimore Orioles, and the only question left to answer was who would be the next Guardian to start in right field to keep the streak going.
That honor ends up going to Cleveland’s No. 2 prospect DeLauter. The 24-year-old won’t just be playing right field on Opening Day, but the plan is for him to see the majority of his time in the field there throughout the season.
Stephen Vogt said earlier in the week that the Guardians want to help DeLauter find as much consistency as possible, and that starts with knowing where he’ll play in the field and not moving him around to different outfield spots.
Plus, Cleveland’s skipper said the team believes right field is simply DeLauter’s best defensive outfield position, too.
DeLauter has played 61 games in right field throughout his Minor League career, which is by far and away the most of any other outfield position. He has the experience and the talent to be one of MLB’s top players at the position.
Hopefully, Cleveland’s different right fielder streak ends at 15 years, and DeLauter will be the Guardians’ starting right fielder in 2027, too.
Guardians Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Guardians. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.