José Ramírez just added another feather to his already stacked cap. The Cleveland Guardians’ cornerstone third baseman landed at No. 5 on MLB Network’s Top 100 Players Right Now list-his highest spot yet, jumping up four places from last year’s No. 9 ranking. It’s another reminder of just how consistently elite Ramírez has been, not just for Cleveland, but across all of Major League Baseball.
And yet, even with that top-five nod, Ramírez wasn’t the highest-ranked player in the AL Central. That title went to Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr., who came in at No.
- Witt’s meteoric rise continues, but Ramírez’s sustained excellence is the story here.
A seven-time All-Star and four-time AL MVP finalist, Ramírez has been the engine that keeps the Guardians’ offense running-and the numbers back it up.
Former big leaguer and current analyst Cliff Floyd put it plainly: “He is a one-man wrecking crew consistently when you look at this lineup.” Floyd didn’t stop there, pointing out how noticeable Ramírez’s absence becomes when he’s not in the lineup.
“Yes, they can hit and yes, Stephen Vogt has these boys playing better than they think they are, but they need him. If he ever takes a day off, you see it.
If he ever gets on an IL stint, you see it.”
That’s the kind of impact Ramírez has-he’s not just a star, he’s the heartbeat of this Guardians team. His ability to produce in every facet of the game-power, speed, defense, leadership-makes him one of the most well-rounded players in the league.
And it’s not just talk. He finished ahead of heavy hitters like Juan Soto and slotted in just behind 2025’s Major League Player of the Year, Cal Raleigh of the Mariners.
Ramírez wasn’t the only Guardian to make the cut. Steven Kwan, one of the most disciplined hitters in the game, earned a spot at No.
- Kwan’s inclusion speaks to the growing respect for his game and the steady presence he brings to the top of the lineup.
The Top 100 Players Right Now list is no small feat. MLB Network’s rankings are based on recent performance-especially the 2025 season-and take into account projected impact for 2026. A panel of evaluators weighed everything from accolades to positional value, even factoring in players returning from injury.
This year’s list is a who’s who of baseball’s elite, featuring a combined 243 All-Star selections, 87 Silver Slugger Awards, 42 Gold Gloves, and 18 MVP trophies. The top five?
Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers), Aaron Judge (Yankees), Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals), Cal Raleigh (Mariners), and José Ramírez (Guardians).
For Ramírez, this latest recognition is just another chapter in what’s already been a remarkable career. And for the Guardians, it’s a reminder that as long as No. 11 is in the lineup, they’ve got a shot-every single night.