Guardians’ Gabriel Arias, Angel Martínez see preparation pay off with big plays on both sides of the ball
Updated: Apr. 12, 2025, 9:56 a.m.|Published: Apr. 12, 2025, 8:16 a.m.
By Joe Noga, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Gabriel Arias and Angel Martínez are embracing their roles for the Guardians and the work that goes into staying ready to help the team win any way they can.
Their preparation paid off Friday in a 7-0 win against the Royals that saw them collect three hits apiece and both make dazzling defensive plays to propel Cleveland to a victory.
Arias impressed manager Stephen Vogt with is glove work and with the quality of at-bats he put up against a tough left-hander in Kansas City’s Kris Bubic. His three-run home run in the fourth inning showcased a more mature approach at the plate that allowed him to tap into what he does best.
“He is one of the most talented players on the planet, we’ve all known that,” Vogt said. “To see him earning everyday at-bats and being able to impact us both defensively and offensively ... it’s been really fun to watch.”
Vogt said Arias’ ability to carry over his game plan into each at-bat lately has been what is most impressive about his hot start.
“He is staying within himself at the plate,” Vogt said. “He knows his strengths and he’s using them in this early part of the year.”
Arias also made an impact in the field, snagging a line drive off the bat of Michael Massey to start the fourth inning that came off the bat at 105.6 mph. Later, he robbed Massey of a bloop hit on a ball to shallow right that he caught with his back to the infield and threw to first base to double up Salvador Perez.
“To track that ball, catch it, but the whole time thinking ‘As soon as I catch this, I’m throwing the ball to first,’ it’s a big league play and very impressive,” Vogt said. “Gabby, more so than his play, just the way he’s been locked in and the way he’s been focused and it’s been really fun.”
Arias insists that his pregame routines have made a huge difference this season.
“All the work that we did, the approach the plan, the working with the machines and getting ready for the game, those are the keys to getting successful at-bats,” Arias said via Guardians interpreter Agustin Rivero.
He admitted that in the past he put pressure on himself to be perfect at every position he tried to play in the big leagues.
“I’ve been a little more focused on trying to earn the position and play well, that has facilitated a lot of things for me,” Arias said. “So I can just focus and go out there, do my best, have fun, enjoy the baseball that I know I can play.”
The same goes for Martínez, albeit in a much smaller sample size. Vogt said when he makes the lineup each night, he expects nine guys to go out and put up great at-bats.
“Tonight the bottom half of the order was outstanding, getting things going, driving people in,” Vogt said. “Obviously (Arias) with the big blow of the night, but Angel coming up with a bang. We saw it last year. He did the same when he got here. So, now it’s let’s keep it rolling, let’s keep it going.”
Martínez was not surprised at how quickly he saw results once he was put in the lineup.
“That’s the type of hitter I am and that’s the plan that we had in mind before the game, so that’s what I was trying to execute today,” he said.
Vogt said it is not easy for a utility player to keep himself ready to make plays like the one Martínez turned to end the game, sprinting in at full speed to make a diving catch and rob Drew Waters of potential extra bases.
“It’s always fun to see our guys make great plays like that,” Vogt said. “Angel works hard. When you’re a utility guy, you have to be ready for anything. He made some nice catches out there. There was a tough sky on some of those deep fly balls that he caught. We know the type of player Angel is and we’re excited that he’s here.”
Martínez said focusing on playing winning baseball has helped him stay prepared for any situation.
“Anything I can do to help the team win, that’s allowed me to prepare,” Martínez said. “Whatever the team needs me for is the best way to just focus on getting those little things that’s going to help the team win.”
CONDENSED GAME
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