Jose Ramirez: MLB's best third baseman

There are certain players who just mean more to their respective teams, with an even smaller group of them being considered among, if not the best, at their position in all of baseball. For Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez, he is a member of that second smaller group.

Ramirez was recently named the best third baseman in all of baseball by Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter in his Ranking Every MLB Team's Starting Third Baseman for the 2024 Season. Reuter would note that Ramirez is somehow still overlooked on the baseball landscape despite routinely being in the Top 10 in American League MVP voting.

"José Ramírez remains one of baseball's most underrated superstars, and for the sixth time in seven years, he finished in the top 10 in AL MVP voting during the 2023 season as the clear offensive standout in a weak Cleveland lineup."

Joel Reuter

More often than not, Ramirez puts together an incredible offensive season paired with an improved defensive ability that saw him end up as a Gold Glove finalist last season, a point that was specifically noted by Reuter. Ramirez finished 2023 with 36 doubles, 24 home runs, and 28 stolen bases while slashing .282/.356/.475, resulting in a weighted runs created plus of 123. 

An interesting fact of Ramirez's 2023 was he received the most intentional walks of any player for the second straight season with 22, a career-high. This number just barely tops his total and previous career-high from 2022 (20). When it comes to players who lead the league, much less all of baseball, in intentional walks, this is a list compiled of the elite of the elite hitters in the game. Ramirez leading in back-to-back years is no small feat and clearly warrants being considered among the best in the game, in this case, being the best third baseman in all of baseball.