José Ramírez Isn’t Just “Underrated” Anymore - He’s One of Baseball’s Best, Period
CLEVELAND - At this point, calling José Ramírez “underrated” feels like missing the point entirely. He’s not flying under the radar - he’s lighting it up.
Ramírez just landed at No. 5 on MLB Network’s annual Top 100 Players Right Now list, his highest ranking to date. That’s not just a nod of respect - it’s a full-on acknowledgment of what he’s been doing year after year in Cleveland.
He also took the top spot among third basemen, and it wasn’t even close. No other third baseman cracked the top 30.
The list, compiled by MLB Network’s production and research team every offseason, is a strong reflection of how the game views its elite talent. And the names trailing Ramírez on that list?
They’re heavy hitters. Juan Soto - fresh off a $765 million megadeal - sits right behind him.
Then you’ve got NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, back-to-back AL Cy Young champ Tarik Skubal, dynamic outfielder Corbin Carroll, and postseason slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. That’s elite company, and Ramírez is leading the pack.
But here’s the thing - while those names might’ve grabbed more headlines in 2025, Ramírez just kept doing what he always does: producing at an elite level. Quietly, consistently, relentlessly.
Last season, he hit .283 with a .503 slugging percentage, scored 103 runs, launched 30 home runs, and swiped 44 bags. That’s not just a strong season - that’s historic.
He became just the fifth player in MLB history to post three separate 30-30 seasons. And when the Guardians needed him most?
He delivered. In September, with Cleveland clawing back from a record 15.5-game hole in the AL Central, Ramírez turned it up another notch, slashing .287/.374/.515 and helping the team clinch the division on the final day of the season.
For his efforts, Ramírez earned his sixth Silver Slugger Award at third base and finished third in AL MVP voting, behind only Aaron Judge (No. 2 overall on the list) and Cal Raleigh (No. 4).
And while that elusive MVP trophy still hasn’t landed on his shelf, his résumé is packed. Eight top-10 MVP finishes and 3.61 career MVP vote shares - that’s 26th all time, higher than any other player who’s never won the award.
Simply put, Ramírez isn’t just one of the best third basemen in the game - he’s one of the best players, period.
He wasn’t the only Guardian to make the list, either. Left fielder Steven Kwan came in at No. 75 overall and ranked ninth at his position.
Kwan dropped nine spots from last year after a second-half slump at the plate, but his impact remains undeniable. He still racked up 170 hits - good for seventh in the AL - and swiped 21 bases.
But where Kwan continues to shine brightest is on defense.
He brought home his fourth straight Gold Glove in left field, leading MLB with 13 outfield assists and saving 22 defensive runs. That’s elite-level glove work, and it’s become the standard for Kwan.
At the top of the Top 100 list, Shohei Ohtani once again claimed the No. 1 spot - his fourth time in five years. The two-way superstar added another MVP to his collection and led the Dodgers to their second straight World Series title. No surprises there.
But in Cleveland, the story is about Ramírez. He’s not just the face of the franchise - he’s one of the faces of the sport.
And if the rest of the league hasn’t caught on by now, this latest ranking should be the final wake-up call: José Ramírez isn’t underrated. He’s elite.