Though casual baseball fans might not be fully aware, the Cleveland Guardians have one of the best players in the game, and have for quite some time. He is a perennial All-Star and AL MVP candidate, and is on a strong trajectory toward the Hall of Fame.
Jose Ramirez is everything one would want in a franchise player, and more. Now, with spring training approaching, the third baseman is being honored among MLB’s elite.
According to MLB Network, the Guardians star ranks among the top 10 players ahead of the 2026 season.
“Here are the top ten players entering the 2026 season! 5. Jose Ramirez,” MLB Network posted on X.
Here are the top ten players entering the 2026 season! #Top100RightNow https://t.co/DDsxA6YdG9 pic.twitter.com/bC6mU78n8v
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 23, 2026
Ramirez is ranked behind only Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (No. 4), Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (No. 3), New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (No. 2) and Los Angeles Dodgers DH/pitcher Shohei Ohtani (No. 1). Ramirez is just ahead of New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (No. 6) and pitchers Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates, No. 7) and Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers, No. 8).
To further show Ramirez’s value, he is the only third baseman in the top 20. Though it is a list for 2026, it could be argued that he should be even higher, ahead of Raleigh and Witt, based on a more lengthy body of work.
The 33-year-old is about to enter his 14th MLB season. He is a seven-time All-Star, a six-time Silver Slugger winner, and has helped Cleveland reach the playoffs multiple times, including back-to-back AL Central titles the past two years. In addition, he has finished in the top five in AL MVP voting six times, including last season when he was third behind Raleigh and Judge.
Though he has yet to win that award, it can be argued that no player is truly more valuable to his team. Not only does he perform on the field, but he also took a hometown discount on his most recent contract to allow the Guardians to be able to spend on surrounding talent.
Unfortunately, he and others feel the organization has not lived up to that bargain, so it will be up to Ramirez to carry the Guardians again this year.
NEXT: Young Guardians Outfielder Enters 2026 Season With 'Most To Prove'
