The Cleveland Guardians are currently fourth in the AL Central. Fourth. This is a team that held a 4.5-game cushion at the top spot of the AL Central on May 24.
The Guardians were nine games over .500 on June 3. Now, they are four games under .500 and out of the postseason picture as we speak.
You could say that, in a way, June 13 was a turning point in Cleveland’s season. Three Guardians suffered fractures that day: Angel Martinez, Chase DeLauter, and Jose Ramirez.
The first two came back and have helped the club win some games, particularly DeLauter. Ramirez, on the other hand, is hitting a paltry .214/.318/.214 with no homers or extra-base hits since returning from the injured list on July 22. He has a 52 wRC+ over that span.
Speaking on the Cleveland Baseball Talk podcast, Guardians insider Paul Hoynes expressed concern about J-Ram’s health and ability to carry the team.
“I think this team is built for José Ramírez to drive it,” Hoynes said on the podcast. “And, you know, he just isn’t the José Ramírez that we’ve seen for the last, you know, 10, 11 years. You know, the hand injury, whatever is holding him back.”
We wouldn’t be so worried if Ramirez were just struggling after the injury. Hamate bone fractures, after all, tend to sap hitters’ power for a few weeks, even months. The problem is that Ramirez is still missing a few games here and there, as if the wrist is giving him problems. Combine that with his struggles at the plate, and the Guardians have every reason to be concerned.
Ramirez is having his worst season since 2015, when he wasn’t an established major leaguer and posted a 72 wRC+ in 355 plate appearances. He is hitting .235 and is barely a league-average hitter, with a 101 wRC+.
The Guardians hope he can eventually shake off the symptoms of his injury and reclaim his spot as the Guardians’ top producer. It’s much easier said than done, though, especially when he has to pick up a bat and swing with some discomfort in his wrist.
The Guardians are waiting for their leader, and if he doesn’t show up, their chances of reaching the defining moments of the season are very small.
NEXT: Analyst Has Honest Admission About Guardians' Identity This Season
