Vogt Praises Ramírez After Breakout Game

Guardians manager lauds star's all-around performance in win over Braves.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:49pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball player in various batting, baserunning, and fielding poses, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the dynamic action of the game.Ramírez's all-around excellence powers the Guardians' victory over the Braves.Cleveland Today

After a slow start to the 2026 MLB season, Cleveland Guardians star José Ramírez broke out with a standout performance in Saturday's 6-0 win over the Atlanta Braves. Ramírez hit a solo home run, scored twice, and stole two bases to help the Guardians even the series. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt praised Ramírez's all-around game, including his base-running skills, defensive play, and ability to impact the game in multiple ways.

Why it matters

Ramírez is considered one of the best players in baseball, so his early-season struggles had raised some concerns. This breakout game shows he is still capable of carrying the Guardians' offense and should help get him back on track after a slow start.

The details

Entering Saturday's game, Ramírez was batting just .151 with one home run on the season. But he broke out in a big way, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two runs scored, and two stolen bases. His home run in the first inning got the Guardians on the board, and his base-stealing helped set up additional runs. Vogt praised Ramírez's all-around game, including his smart baserunning and solid defense.

  • Ramírez hit his first home run of the season against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 on April 9.
  • Ramírez entered Saturday's game against the Braves batting .151 with 8 hits, 3 doubles, 1 home run, 3 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases.

The players

José Ramírez

All-Star third baseman for the Cleveland Guardians, considered one of the best players in Major League Baseball.

Stephen Vogt

Manager of the Cleveland Guardians.

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What they’re saying

“José is the best player in the game. We know that. And the base running is probably his best skill. He's such a great hitter, but he's... one of the best base runners in the game. And he's smart, knows the game. Even, you know, he and Angel teaming up for the double steal to get the 2 more insurance runs in scoring position. It's always thinking ahead... even defensively, he made a couple of really nice plays tonight too.”

— Stephen Vogt, Guardians Manager

What’s next

Ramírez will look to build on his strong performance as the Guardians continue their series against the Braves on Sunday.

The takeaway

Despite a slow start, Ramírez's advanced metrics showed he was due to break out, and his standout all-around game in the win over the Braves is a promising sign that the Guardians' star player is getting back on track.