The Guardians' José Ramírez: A Third Baseman Like No Other
The MLB Network has ranked José Ramírez as the No. 1 third baseman, and it's easy to see why. With a seven-year, $175 million extension under his belt, Ramírez is a force to be reckoned with on the field.
But what sets Ramírez apart from his peers? It's not just his impressive statistics. As MLB Network analyst and former third baseman Mike Lowell points out, Ramírez has no weaknesses at the third base position. He's a master of base running, a defensive powerhouse, and a left-handed hitting specialist who still hits well off right-handed pitching from the left side.
Lowell adds, "There’s nothing he doesn’t do great. Just a Hall of Fame resume he’s putting together. It’s a really enjoyable to watch because I think physically, he doesn’t fit as that prototype third baseman, not as tall, not as built as maybe some of the other guys. But the numbers come to play."
And the numbers back him up. In 2025, Ramírez helped the Guardians win their third AL Central title in four years, hitting .283 with 34 doubles, 30 homers, and 85 RBI. For the second straight season, he went 30-30 with 30 homers and 44 steals in 51 attempts.
But it's not just his offensive prowess that makes Ramírez so special. He's a seven-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger winner, and he's finished in the top six of the AL MVP voting seven times, including one second-place finish and three third-place finishes.
And it's not just the MLB Network that's taking notice. Recently, they ranked Ramírez fifth among baseball’s top 100 players headed into the 2026 season, making him the top-ranked player from Latin America. He finished behind Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., and Cal Raleigh.
So, what's the secret to Ramírez's success? It's a combination of his natural talent, hard work, and a unique approach to the game. As Lowell suggests, Ramírez's physical build might not fit the traditional prototype of a third baseman, but his numbers speak for themselves. And that's what makes him a force to be reckoned with in the MLB.
