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Cleveland Indians: Should Jose Ramirez Be The AL MVP?

By Ryan Rosko

Aug 20, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) hits an RBI single in the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) hits an RBI single in the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) walks onto the field during batting practice before a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Cleveland Indians won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Not Playing Regularly Early On Hurts

Kris Grimes

Jose Ramirez, American League MVP. To even write that and think of the possibility floors me. Why is that you say? I felt like he was the guy the “cheap” Dolans and then General Manager Chris Antonetti tried to push on Indians fans prior to Francisco Lindor.

I also remember watching him struggle at the plate night after night. That was especially the case in 2015 when his average dropped to .219 in 97 games! I kept thinking we got rid of Asdrubal Cabrera for this guy? Lindor better get here fast.

Yet, here we are in 2016, talking about the same guy, and the possibility of him being an AL MVP? How’s that even possible?

Well, the kid starting hitting, and started hitting in the clutch. When you’re a guy hitting around .300 overall and over .400 with runners in scoring position, MLB is going to take notice.

So is Ramirez a legit AL MVP candidate? In the purest sense, yes he is. He has come up huge time after time for the Indians offense this season. To think he was only platooning with Juan Uribe for most of the season and putting up the numbers he has is pretty good.

Ramirez has 55 RBIs, while the other AL MVP candidates only have around 80 RBI’s having played in a full-time capacity. If Ramirez had a full season under him thus far and continued to hit over .400 with runners in scoring position, he’d be among the league leaders in RBIs without a doubt.

That said, Ramirez won’t get the recognition. Players like Boston’s Mookie Betts and the Angels’ Mike Trout are higher profile players. In my mind, Betts is the leader in the clubhouse when it comes to the AL MVP.

Like any other baseball fan, the home run threat seems to move Betts ahead of the pack. Yet if Ramirez had the opportunity to play all year he would be very much in the discussion, home run power or not.

Next: Is Deserving, But May Not Even Be Best On His Team

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