The Cleveland Guardians have been Jose Ramirez’s team ever since Francisco Lindor was traded to the New York Mets in 2021.
He was already a star before that, though, but he has carried the Guardians offense since that point and the results have been amazing.
J-Ram hasn’t won the AL MVP, but has competed some incredible seasons anyway and has definitely flirted with the award.
This year, for example, he had a .872 OPS and was just one homer short of a 40-40 campaign.
Part of what makes Ramirez special is that he can do virtually anything he wants on a baseball diamond.
He can hit for a high average, he has power, wheels, a solid arm and good defense.
Oh, and plate discipline is definitely a strength.
Pitch selection and hand-eye coordination make him very hard to strike out.
Not only that, but he has enough baseball IQ, contact and power to inflict lots of damage in what are usually defensive situations: hitting with two strikes.
“Tough out with two strikes. @CleGuardians superstar José Ramírez recorded 180 total bases with two strikes this season, the most by any player over the past twenty seasons,” MLB Network posted on X.
Tough out with two strikes 🙅♂️@CleGuardians superstar José Ramírez recorded 180 total bases with two strikes this season, the most by any player over the past twenty seasons. pic.twitter.com/GmY9YcnHmc
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 30, 2024
Only Ramirez can turn a disadvantageous situation into actual, tangible results at the plate.
If the pitcher comes at the zone, he is equipped with bat and mind speed to inflict damage.
If the hurler tries to fool him, he usually won’t bite.
This comes with experience, but also from his immense talent to hit a baseball.
Ramirez, still 32, has plenty of gas left to keep helping the Guardians for years to come.
NEXT: Guardians Were Reportedly Interested In All-Star Infielder Before He Signed In Detroit
