The competition for playing time in the Cleveland Guardians outfield is intense, with several players vying for three starting jobs and maybe two reserve spots. This spring training, manager Stephen Vogt has vowed to try as many combinations as possible to see what works and what doesn’t.
Inevitably, someone is going to be left out. So, the more a player can do, and the more positions he can fill, the better his chances might be.
Angel Martinez was Cleveland’s primary center fielder last season, with 114 appearances at that position. He also played 37 games at second base, which makes him the most versatile of the competitors.
Details have emerged about the Guardians’ plans for Martinez, and they are based in the outfield despite his ability to play the infield as well.
“The Guardians value Angel Martínez’s versatility, but this spring his primary focus will be the outfield, particularly center field. Vogt said Martinez will continue to maintain his ability to play on the infield dirt, but the organization wants most of his developmental reps to come on the grass. He’s expected to see less time in center field as the Guardians transition Steven Kwan over from left, while also logging reps at the corners as the outfield competition sorts itself out,” Joe Noga wrote.
Interestingly, Cleveland’s plan to move Kwan to center field could cost Martinez the most playing time. With the organization hesitant to put rookie Chase DeLauter at such a demanding position to begin his MLB career, he will have to be used at one of the corner spots.
That leaves Martinez competing with George Valera, Nolan Jones, Johnathan Rodriguez and possibly C.J. Kayfus for the last opening in the starting lineup. If the Guardians are looking for the most offensive upside to boost a low-impact attack, Martinez could find himself stuck to the bench or perhaps in the minors, especially if Cleveland likes what it sees from newcomer Stuart Fairchild.
In Martinez’s two MLB seasons, the 24-year-old has a batting average of .226 and an OPS of .630 with 14 home runs in 653 plate appearances. By comparison, Valera had an OPS of .748 and Kayfus was at .707 for their MLB debuts last season.
That means it’s very unlikely Martinez will be given at-bats at DH. However, his baserunning speed relative to some of his teammates, and his versatility could keep him on the major league roster.
It is just one of many difficult decisions facing Vogt as he tries to determine the best 26-man unit to bring north to begin the 2026 season.
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