MORGANTOWN, W.Va. –2019 Hedgesville High School graduate Chase DeLauter didn’t have to wait long for his name to be called in the Major League Baseball Draft. The James Madison University outfielder was selected 16th overall in the first round by the Cleveland Guardians.
DeLauter was named the West Virginia State Player of the Year twice in 2018 and 2019, sharing the honor in his senior season. He batted .606 in 2019 and led the Eagles to the Class AAA Region II title and a spot in the state tournament.
1 (16): @indians select James Madison University (VA) Chase DeLauter https://t.co/9FW7zcFxzl #MLBDraft
— MLB Draft Tracker (@MLBDraftTracker) July 18, 2022
In three seasons at JMU, DeLauter played in 66 games. He hit .402 with 15 home runs and 70 runs batted in. He also had a .520 on base percentage. DeLauter was recruited to JMU as a pitcher but he took the mound just six times after the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
This spring, DeLauter hit .437 with 8 home runs and 35 RBI in 24 games before his third college season was cut short by injury.