It’s almost December, yet Cleveland Guardians All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez is still raking.
How is it possible, if there is no MLB season right now?
Well, he is doing it in another country: his native Dominican Republic.
Playing with a new team, Leones del Escogido, after being traded by Toros del Este for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., J-Ram hit his first home run of the Winter League season in the LIDOM, the Dominican professional league.
It was a majestic drive to right field to give Leones a 9-1 lead in the third frame, via Talkin’ Baseball.
Jose Ramirez bombs don’t stop when the MLB season ends pic.twitter.com/6jBcIiWjuG
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 23, 2023
The pitcher, Phillips Valdez, had him in a 0-2 hole, but he decided it was a good idea to throw him a splitter inside.
Sadly for him, it caught too much of the plate and Ramirez was patient enough to wait for it.
He put on an impressive swing and the ball went out in a hurry.
Ramirez is now 2-for-5 in his first two games in Dominican ball, with three walks, four runs scored, a homer, three RBI, and no strikeouts.
As long as he is on the field, Escogido will be very hard to beat.
We are talking about a player who has been an MVP candidate in the American League multiple times, even deserving the award in 2020.
Ramirez, with a .854 career OPS in the majors, is having a smooth transition to winter ball this year.
Considering that he homered 24 times, accumulated 36 doubles, and posted a .831 OPS this past season with the Guardians, you can go ahead and expect more greatness with Escogido.
NEXT: Jose Ramirez Is Taking On A Different Challenge This Offseason
