School: James Madison University; Class: Junior
Position: CF; B/T: L/L
Height: 6-4; Weight: 235
Previously Drafted: N/A
High School: Hedgesville High School
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 55 | 55/60 | 55 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
Background: The list of notable sports alumni from Hedgesville High School is short: QJ Peterson, who starred at VMI, has played European professional basketball since 2017, and Gale Catlett, the former University of Cincinnati and West Virginia University basketball coach. Chase DeLauter is about to become the biggest athlete to come out Hedgesville.
A three-sport phenom during his prep career, DeLauter, who starred on the court and the gridiron, was spectacular during his junior campaign for the Eagles. He hit a scorching .500 and was practically unhittable on the mound, posting a 1.95 ERA with 64 punch outs. DeLauter followed that up with an even better showing during his senior campaign – en route to winning the West Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year. He bashed .606 with 21 doubles, eight homeruns, and 52 RBIs. He also posted a 0.82 ERA with a 9-2 win-loss record.
And DeLauter didn’t stop hitting once he stepped foot on James Madison University’s campus.
In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound center fielder slugged .382/.455/.559 with seven doubles, one triple, one homerun, and seven stolen bases (in eight attempts) in only 16 games. Collegiate Baseball named him a Freshman All-American. DeLauter upped the ante even further during his follow up redshirt season, hitting .386/.508/.723 with 12 doubles, two triples, six homeruns, and seven stolen bases in 26 games. The West Virginian spent that summer dominating the Cape Cod League competition to the tune of .298/.397/.589 with seven doubles, one triple, and nine homeruns in 34 games for the New Orleans Firebirds.
This season – despite a foot injury that prematurely ended his junior campaign – DeLauter batted .437/.576/.828 with eight doubles, one triple, eight homeruns, and 10 stolen bases (in 11 attempts).
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2011, only three Division I hitters posted a .400/.550/.800 slash line in a season (min. 100 PA): Erik Ostberg, Michael Carico, and – of course – Chase DeLauter.
The level of competition in the Colonial Athletic Association isn’t exactly equivalent to the SEC – so some of DeLauter’s career .402/.520/.715 slash line has to be discounted. Except that the toolsy center fielder was among the best offensive performers in the Cape Cod League in 2021. Well rounded offensive performer with the rare potential to be a five-tool contributor in the professional ranks. Above-average hit tool, plus power potential, speed, defense, arm. DeLauter hits all the checkboxes. A swing taken out of the Will Clark handbook, DeLauter’s could be the second college hitter off the board – after Brooks Lee. The Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins seem like ideal landing spots.
Ceiling: 4.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
Grade: First Round
