Stephen Vogt Says ‘Sky’s The Limit’ For One Guardians Player This Season

If the Cleveland Guardians are going to improve on offense this season, it’s going to have to come from the players they already have. Their lack of offseason moves has been well-documented, and it’s lowered the outlook for the team by outsiders quite a bit.

However, manager Stephen Vogt has remained optimistic throughout. He believes the approach of improvement from within is the correct one.

A lot will be expected from prospect Chase DeLauter and possibly Travis Bazzana, and mainstays Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez can always be counted on to do their part. But the manager is also very high on another veteran.

Vogt said the “sky’s the limit” for catcher Bo Naylor this season.

“I think the sky’s the limit for Bo this year, and I think he’s going to pick up right where he left off. I think this is a breakout year for Bo and I’m really excited to watch it,” Vogt said.

" I think the sky's the limit for Bo this year, and I think he's going to pick up right where he left off."

After an incredible September for Bo Naylor, #Guardians manager Stephen Vogt hopes for a breakout year from the catcher#GuardsBall @WEWS pic.twitter.com/RMSUAc69If

— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) February 17, 2026

Last season, Naylor’s batting average was below .200 entering September. He then picked it up when it mattered most, batting .290 with an .872 OPS, three home runs and 16 RBIs in his final 19 appearances, which helped the Guardians overcome a historic deficit to win the AL Central.

Naylor also made some adjustments during the offseason. That is why Vogt expects his improvement to continue from the start of the 2026 season.

It would be a huge boost to the lineup, as rookies such as DeLauter, Bazzana, C.J. Kayfus and George Valera may experience some growing pains adjusting to their bigger roles. Backup catcher Austin Hedges provides little offense from the position, so Naylor could make more than the 106 starts he received last year.

One lineup projection has Naylor batting fifth this season, and he will have to produce to remain there. In 2025, his most common spot was eighth.

Naylor also may have to fight to keep his job, if not this season then going forward. Catcher Cooper Ingle is one of the Guardians’ top minor league prospects, and he is at spring training as a non-roster invitee.

So, there will be additional pressure on Naylor to live up to his manager’s expectations as the Guardians try to win the AL Central for a third consecutive season.