The Cleveland Guardians are gearing up for the new season with high expectations for Bo Naylor, whose impressive performance last September has positioned him as a key player for 2026. Naylor, who will celebrate his 26th birthday on February 21, recorded three home runs and 16 runs batted in (RBI) while batting .290 during a pivotal month that helped the Guardians secure a first-place finish in the American League Central Division.
Naylor’s contributions were second only to Jose Ramirez, who hit four home runs and drove in 17 runs in the same period. Notably, Naylor played in just 19 games that month, compared to Ramirez’s 27. Prior to this surge, Naylor struggled to find consistency, with his only other notable month being July, when he batted .204 with two home runs and six RBI.
As the Guardians held their first full-squad workout of spring training on February 17 in Goodyear, Arizona, Manager Stephen Vogt expressed enthusiasm for Naylor’s progress. “Bo had a phenomenal offseason,” Vogt stated during a Zoom call. “He’s ready to go and made some good adjustments with his swing path. He’s looked great in his live batting practice. I think the sky is the limit for Bo this year, and I’m really excited to watch him.”
Naylor is not alone in his offseason efforts. Kyle Manzardo, the Guardians’ primary first baseman and occasional designated hitter, has also been working hard. Manzardo’s most productive month last season was July, where he batted .295 with five home runs and 14 RBI. He ended the season with a batting average of .239 in September, contributing four home runs and ten RBI.
Vogt noted the importance of strength training for Manzardo, saying, “For Manzo, with putting on the extra strength, he doesn’t have to try anymore. When the ball’s there, and he’s ready to hit it, it’s going to travel.” His ability to use the whole field while hitting has shown promise, and Vogt believes Manzardo is just beginning to tap into his potential.
The Guardians are preparing for their Cactus League season, which begins on February 21, with split-squad games against the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. Vogt announced that pitchers Joey Cantillo and Logan Allen will take the mound for the Guardians, although the specific matchups have yet to be determined.
As the regular season opener approaches on March 26 against the Seattle Mariners, Vogt and pitching coach Carl Willis are still finalizing their starting pitcher. While other teams have already announced their opening day starters, the Guardians are focused on ensuring their players are fully prepared to make a strong start to the season. With players like Naylor and Manzardo stepping up, excitement is building around the Guardians’ prospects for the year ahead.
