The Cleveland Guardians may have missed the postseason, but third baseman Jose Ramirez had another excellent year in the heart of the lineup.
Ramirez got another nomination for an American League Silver Slugger Award.
The team posted a cool graphic to celebrate their slugger getting the nomination.
A finalist? For the Silver Slugger Award?
Could definitely be our third baseman.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/VCwFulhwed
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) November 2, 2023
Ramirez will be competing with Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, Boston Red Sox thumper Rafael Devers, and Tampa Bay Rays breakout star Isaac Paredes.
Ramirez won the award in 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2022 and established himself as the premier contender for the hardware.
Bregman had a career year in 2019 and took the award that year, while Devers was the choice in 2021.
Paredes is a first-time nominee, but is a good candidate after a 31-homer, 98-RBI performance in the heart of the Rays’ talented lineup.
Ramirez’s all-around talent was on display in 2023, another solid year for the perennial MVP candidate.
He slashed .282/.356/.475 with a .831 OPS, 24 home runs, 87 runs scored, 80 RBI, 36 doubles, and 28 stolen bases.
Perhaps it wasn’t J-Ram’s most spectacular season from a power standpoint, but it was an all-around masterpiece with contact, on-base ability, power, and speed.
He remains, by far, the best player on the Guardians roster and one of the best in the American League.
If the Guardians bring in enough offensive upgrades and a good manager, they have a chance at returning to the postseason led by Ramirez.
He is still under contract for several more years and his status as the on-field and spiritual leader of the young Guardians is not in question.
NEXT: Guardians Analyst Holds Out Hope For Craig Counsell
