The Cleveland Guardians’ offense has been much improved this year compared to 2023.
It’s still not an elite unit, but it’s certainly better than last year.
Before Steven Kwan got hurt, they had a top leadoff man, a few promising hitters on a hot streak, and a couple of elite run producers in Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor.
Bally Sports Cleveland posted a graphic with the top-five American League hitters in RBI, and there are two Guardians in that group: J-Ram and Naylor.
Good luck facing these two!#ForTheLand | @CleGuardians pic.twitter.com/6DVnK0XFBp
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 8, 2024
Before Wednesday’s games, Kansas City Royals slugger Salvador Perez paced the junior circuit with 31 RBI.
The surging Ramirez was second with 30, and Adolis Garcia was third with 29.
Naylor is tied for fourth with New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto, both with 28.
“Good luck facing these two,” Bally Sports Cleveland tweeted.
In reality, they are the two most dangerous hitters in the Guardians lineup.
Ramirez slumped to open the season, which is why he is still hitting a relatively modest .245/.290/.448 with a .738 OPS.
He has, however, seven homers, five stolen bases, and the 30 RBI.
Even when he is not as his best, Ramirez is as clutch as they come, so many of his hits have come with people in scoring position.
As for Naylor, he has been rock solid with a .276/.364/.553 line, nine home runs, 28 RBI, and a cool .916 OPS.
Perhaps losing Kwan for multiple weeks will have an impact on Ramirez and Naylor’s RBI numbers given the fact that the injured leadoff hitter was getting on base around 40 percent of the time.
Still, J-Ram and Naylor are slugging their way up the American League leaderboards.
NEXT: Guardians Stars Surprise Patients With Wholesome Visit
