MLB Network has been asking fans to vote for the top-10 players in the league right now at each position.
The Cleveland Guardians hadn’t had received much love from fans, even though they have players who could very well enter a top-10 list at their respective positions like Andres Gimenez (second base) and Josh Naylor (first base).
That ended this week, though, when they revealed how fans voted in the hot corner.
Here's how you picked the #Top10RightNow at third base!
See who cracks The Shredder's list at 8pm ET 📺 pic.twitter.com/PVSYsXt3l2
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 31, 2024
Finally, the Guardians are well represented with Jose Ramirez at the top of the third base rankings.
There are lots of quality third basemen in the league.
Austin Riley, number two on the list, had a case to be ranked first and so did the third name of the group, Nolan Arenado.
Number four on the list is Baltimore Orioles young star Gunnar Henderson, and Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres completes the top five.
If we consider 2023 performance and track record, however, Ramirez is a deserving choice to lead the group.
He was stellar as always last year, with a .282/.356/.475 line, 24 home runs, 28 stolen bases, 36 doubles, and an .831 OPS.
He played his usual excellent defense at third on top of those solid offensive numbers.
Ramirez is one of the game’s most underrated stars and undoubtedly the Guardians’ leader.
He tends to fly under the radar because he is not as vocal or flamboyant as other players on the same tier.
However, he has 216 career home runs and 202 stolen bases at 31 years old, with a beautiful .854 OPS.
He is as consistent as they come, and has contended for the AL MVP award a couple of times.
Ramirez is everything the Guardians could have wanted when they signed him, and much more.
NEXT: Video Shows Key Guardians Player Preparing For His Return