Guardians’ Chase DeLauter’s 5-HR start summed up in 1 comparison stat originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Chase DeLauter’s foot injury didn’t slow him down.
Back in the lineup on Friday for the Cleveland Guardians‘ home opener, DeLauter notched multiple hits, including a crushed home run.
DeLauter had a 3-1 count and didn’t hold back. He yanked a fly ball deep and well gone to right field.
It was his fifth home run of the season, and one stat shared by MLB sums up how immense DeLauter’s start to the season has been.
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This season, it has taken DeLauter eight games to reach five home runs.
That’s the fastest for a rookie in a bunch of years, per MLB.
Last year, Tim Tawa was the fastest rookie to eight home runs, and it took him 31 games.
It took Michael Busch 15 games in 2024, James Outman 20 games in 2023 and Jeremy Pena 23 games in 2022.
The first rookies to reach 5 homers in each of the past 5 seasons (with the number of team games it took them):
2026: Chase DeLauter (8)
2025: Tim Tawa (31)
2024: Michael Busch (15)
2023: James Outman (20)
2022: Jeremy Peña (23) https://t.co/sThupWOJIVpic.twitter.com/wJ67gOm4U1— MLB (@MLB) April 4, 2026
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DeLauter’s hitting ability was never really in question.
The Guardians need him to stay healthy. He’s had a stop-and-start professional career due to injuries.
If DeLauter is on the field, he can keep this up. He’s that good.
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