Andrés Giménez and Jose Ramirez Silver Slugger finalists for Guardians

Andrés Giménez and José Ramírez Silver Slugger finalists for Guardians

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 07: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates after hitting a two RBI home run in the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during game one of the Wild Card Series at Progressive Field on October 07, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

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MVP-Caliber Season Could Net Ramírez Silver Slugger Award

Also nominated from the Guardians was third baseman José Ramírez, who is no stranger to the award, having previously won it in 2017, 2018 and 2020. In pursuit of his fourth Silver Slugger, Ramirez hit .280 with 29 home runs and a league-leading 44 doubles. His power output is all the more impressive when we consider that he played a significant portion of the season after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb in June, an injury that is known to sap power.

Ramírez waited until the offseason to have the surgery required to fix the ligament, carrying the Guardians offense for most of the season and the postseason. He was second in the league with 126 RBI, scored 90 runs, and added 20 stolen bases, making a well-rounded case that he was the top offensive third baseman, and a solid MVP candidate as well.

Ramírez is nominated along with Boston’s Rafael Devers, Houston’s Alex Bregman and Toronto’s Matt Chapman. Devers, who won the award in 2021, hit .279 with 27 home runs, 88 RBI and 84 runs. Bregman has also previously won the award (2019) and hit .259 with 23 home runs, 93 RBI, and 93 runs. Chapman, a three-time Gold Glove winner, is vying for his first Silver Slugger after hitting .229 with 27 home runs, 76 RBI and 83 runs.