The Cleveland Guardians may have found a new unsung hero.
Over the past couple of weeks, Dominican infielder Angel Martinez has been one of the most consistent depth pieces for manager Stephen Vogt, and he continues to make an impact regardless of whether he’s pinch-hitting or starting.
Notably, that’s why Bruce Drennan doesn’t want to see him go away.
Talking on his podcast, he argued that it would be difficult for the Guardians to make Martinez the odd man out once Lane Thomas returns, as Martinez has made a strong impression with his hustle and effort:
“What do you do with Lane Thomas when he comes back [with] the way this kid is playing?” Drennan asked. “And defense, too! I don’t want him to hurt himself diving all over the place and making these unbelievable stops.”
Who do you think will be the odd man out? #GuardsBall
"What do you do with Lane Thomas when he comes back…" pic.twitter.com/iZjkXoIwyt
— Bruce Drennan Show (@Bruce_Drennan) April 22, 2025
The 23-year-old Dominican infielder went 1-for-3 with an RBI in his team’s 3-2 win over the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
That took his season tally to four RBIs to go along with 13 hits, and a .361 batting average across 36 at-bats.
His energy is contagious, and his plate discipline has always been quite remarkable.
The Guardians entered the season with some big question marks about their offense.
Martinez might not boast the most powerful bat in the game, but his ability to make contact and put the ball in play could come quite handily throughout the course of the entire season.
Of course, Thomas will reclaim his usual spot once he’s ready to take the field, and that shouldn’t even be up for debate.
Then again, injuries can be a blessing in disguise at times, and while they’re the worst part of the game, they may have given Stephen Vogt another reliable weapon to consider going forward.
NEXT: Stephen Vogt Shuts Down Closer Controversy In Cleveland
