Jose Ramirez: Baseball Third Baseman for the Cleveland Guardians of MLB – Bio, Contracts, Position & more

Estimated read time 14 min read

José Ramírez is a third baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Guardians. He was born in Bani, Dominican Republic, and signed with the Cleveland Indians as an amateur free agent in 2009. He made his MLB debut in 2013.

Ramírez has quickly become one of the best all-around players in baseball. He is a five-tool player who can hit for average, power, and speed. He is also a solid defender at third base.

Details about José Ramírez’s Background:

  • Name: José Ramírez
  • Position: Third Baseman
  • Height: 5’9″
  • Weight: 190 lbs
  • Team: Cleveland Guardians
  • Age: 31
  • Nationality: Dominican Republic
  • Previous Clubs: Cleveland Indians

Ramírez has won four Silver Slugger Awards and two Gold Glove Awards. He has also been named an All-Star six times.

In 2023, Ramírez had another excellent season, batting .282 with 32 home runs, 111 RBIs, and 29 stolen bases. He was named the American League Player of the Month for July.

Ramírez is a key part of the Guardians’ future. He is a franchise player who can help the team win for many years to come.

Ramírez is a popular figure in Cleveland and is known for his work ethic and dedication to the game. He is also a generous philanthropist who supports many causes in the Dominican Republic.

Strengths & Weaknesses of José Ramírez:

  • José Ramírez is a switch-hitting infielder who can play third base, second base, and shortstop. He has a compact swing and a quick bat from both sides of the plate, and he can hit for both average and power. He also has good speed and baserunning instincts, and he can steal bases and take extra bases. He is a versatile and dynamic offensive player who can hit anywhere in the lineup.
  • Ramírez’s strengths include his ability to hit for the cycle, his clutch performance, and his defensive versatility. He has hit for the cycle twice in his career, becoming the first player in MLB history to do so from both sides of the plate. He has also been one of the best hitters in high-leverage situations, delivering many game-winning hits and home runs. He has played multiple positions in the infield, showing good range, arm strength, and glove work. He has won two Silver Slugger Awards and has been an All-Star five times.
  • Ramírez’s weaknesses include his tendency to struggle with breaking balls, his occasional slumps, and his durability. He has had some trouble hitting curveballs and sliders, especially from left-handed pitchers. He has also had some stretches where he has been inconsistent or unproductive at the plate, such as in 2019 when he hit .218 in the first half of the season. He has also missed some games due to injuries, such as a broken hamate bone in 2019 and a fractured finger in 2021.

Tactical role of José Ramírez:

Ramírez’s role within the team is to be a leader and a star who can spark the offense and anchor the defense. He usually plays third base, but he can also fill in at second base or shortstop if needed. He contributes to the overall strategy by being a threat on the bases, by driving in runs, by hitting for extra bases, and by making plays in the field. He is also a vocal and energetic presence in the clubhouse and on the field, inspiring his teammates and fans.

Hobbies & Interests of José Ramírez:

  • He enjoys playing video games, especially sports games like MLB The Show and FIFA. He likes to compete online with his friends and teammates, as well as stream his gameplay on Twitch. He also likes to watch other gamers and learn from their strategies and skills.
  • He is a fan of the Cleveland Browns, the NFL team from his adopted city. He grew up watching and idolizing Browns players, such as Jim Brown, Bernie Kosar, and Baker Mayfield. He also likes to attend their games and support them on social media.
  • He is interested in art and music, and he often expresses his creativity and personality through his hairstyles, tattoos, and jewelry. He likes to listen to rap and reggaeton music, as well as salsa and merengue. Some of his favorite artists are Drake, Bad Bunny, Marc Anthony, and Juan Luis Guerra. He also likes to dance and sing with his family and friends.
  • He likes to watch movies and TV shows, especially comedies and action films. Some of his favorites are The Hangover, Fast and Furious, The Office, and Narcos. He also likes to watch documentaries and learn new things.
  • He is fond of animals and has a pet dog named Chulo, a French bulldog. He adopted him from a shelter in 2018 and considers him a part of his family. He also supports animal welfare causes and donates to various charities.

Net worth of José Ramírez:

According to various sources, Ramírez has an estimated net worth of around $8 million as of 2023. His primary source of income is his baseball career, from which he has earned millions of dollars in salary and bonuses. He also has endorsement deals with brands such as Nike, Rawlings, and Topps.

Personal life of José Ramírez:

Ramírez was born on September 17, 1992, in Baní, Peravia, Dominican Republic. He grew up playing baseball in the Dominican Prospect League and signed with the Cleveland Indians as an amateur free agent in 2009. He made his major league debut in 2013 and has since become one of the best third basemen in the game. He is a five-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and a member of the 30–30 club. He has also helped the Guardians reach the World Series in 2016 and the playoffs in 2017, 2018, and 2020.

Family of José Ramírez:

Ramírez has a brother, Hanley Báez Ramírez, who also signed with the Cleveland organization. He is married to a woman whose name is not publicly known, but they have a daughter together named Bella Ramírez. He often posts pictures of his wife and daughter on his Instagram account, where he has over 400,000 followers. He also has a pet dog named Chulo, a French bulldog that he adopted from a shelter in 2018. He considers him a part of his family and supports animal welfare causes.

Height of José Ramírez:

Ramírez is listed as 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and weighs 190 pounds (86 kg). He is known for his speed, power, and versatility on the field. He can play multiple positions, such as second base, shortstop, and left field, in addition to third base. He also has a distinctive style and personality, often expressing himself through his hairstyles, tattoos, and jewelry.

READ MORE: Zach Eflin: Tampa Bay Rays Starting Pitcher – Stats, Height, Weight, Position & more

Contracts of José Ramírez:

Ramírez signed a seven-year contract extension with the Guardians in April 2022, worth $141 million. The deal also includes a full no-trade clause and will keep him in Cleveland through the 2028 season. He will earn $22 million in 2022, $14 million in 2023, $17 million in 2024, $19 million in 2025, $21 million in 2026, $23 million in 2027, and $25 million in 2028. Prior to this extension, he had signed a four-year contract with the Guardians in March 2017, worth $26 million. The contract also had two club options for 2022 and 2023, which were exercised by the Guardians before being superseded by the new deal.

Brands Associated:

Ramírez has been associated with several brands throughout his career. Some of them are:

  • Nike: Ramírez wears Nike cleats and apparel on the field and off the field. He also appears in Nike commercials and campaigns.
  • Rawlings: Ramírez uses Rawlings gloves and bats on the field. He also won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for third base in the American League in 2019.
  • Topps: Ramírez has been featured on Topps baseball cards since his rookie year in 2013. He also has autographed cards and memorabilia from Topps.
  • Pepsi: Ramírez starred in a Pepsi commercial in 2018, where he played a prank on his teammate Francisco Lindor by switching his Pepsi with a Diet Pepsi.
  • MLB The Show: Ramírez is an avid video gamer and enjoys playing MLB The Show, a baseball simulation game. He also appears as a playable character and cover athlete for MLB The Show 21.

Teams with José Ramírez played:

Ramírez has played for only one team in his major league career: the Cleveland Indians / Guardians. He debuted with them on September 1, 2013, and has remained with them ever since. However, before reaching the majors, he played for several minor league teams affiliated with the Indians organization. They are:

  • Arizona Indians: Ramírez played for this Rookie-level team in the Arizona League in 2011.
  • Mahoning Valley Scrappers: Ramírez played for this Class A-Short Season team in the New York-Penn League in 2012.
  • Lake County Captains: Ramírez played for this Class A team in the Midwest League in 2012.
  • Akron Aeros / RubberDucks: Ramírez played for this Class AA team in the Eastern League from 2013 to 2015.
  • Columbus Clippers: Ramírez played for this Class AAA team in the International League from 2014 to 2016.

Awards & Achievements of José Ramírez:

  • He has been named an MLB All-Star five times, in 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023. He was the starting third baseman for the American League in the 2018 and 2021 All-Star Games, where he hit a home run and a double, respectively.
  • He has won the Silver Slugger Award four times, in 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2022. He was the first player in MLB history to win the award at two different positions (second base and third base) in the same season in 2018.
  • He has entered the 30–30 club once, in 2018, when he hit 39 home runs and stole 34 bases. He was the first player in Guardians history and the third switch-hitter in MLB history to achieve this feat. He also led the American League in stolen bases that year.
  • He has hit for the cycle twice in his career, on July 2, 2016, against the Toronto Blue Jays and on August 14, 2021, against the Detroit Tigers. He became the first player in MLB history to hit for the cycle from both sides of the plate.
  • He has been one of the best clutch hitters in baseball, delivering many game-winning hits and home runs in high-leverage situations. He has a career .304 batting average with runners in scoring position and a .297 batting average in late and close games. He has also hit three walk-off home runs in his career, including one on September 22, 2020, against the Chicago White Sox that clinched a playoff spot for the Guardians.
YearTeamGABRHHRRBISBAVGOBPSLG
2013CLE151264000.333.429.333
2014CLE68237275521710.232.300.337
2015CLE97315507462710.219.291.340
2016TOT15256584176117622.312.363.462
2017CLE152585107186298317.318.374.583
2018CLE1575781101563910534.270.387.552
2019CLE12948268123238324.255.372.479
2020CLE582194564174610.292.386.607
2021CLE1455181051423610327.274.366.538
2022CLE15054598155329425.284.377.522
Awards & Achievements of José Ramírez

He attended Riverside City College for one year before transferring to Eastern Michigan University, where he played college football for the Eagles from 2019 to 2022. He was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-MAC selection in 2022.

Scouting Report of José Ramírez:

CategoryDescription
HittingRamírez is a switch-hitter who can hit for both average and power from both sides of the plate. He has a compact swing and a quick bat, and he can spray the ball to all fields. He has good plate discipline and pitch recognition, and he can draw walks and avoid strikeouts. He can also hit well in clutch situations and with runners in scoring position.
PowerRamírez has above-average power, especially for his size. He can drive the ball over the fence from both sides of the plate, and he can hit for extra bases. He has hit 30 or more home runs in three seasons, and he has also entered the 30–30 club once. He generates power with his strong wrists and lower body, and he can pull the ball or go opposite field.
SpeedRamírez has plus speed and baserunning instincts, and he can steal bases and take extra bases. He has stolen 20 or more bases in four seasons, and he has also led the American League in stolen bases once. He has good acceleration and agility, and he can beat out infield hits or bunt for hits. He is also a smart and aggressive baserunner who can read pitchers and situations well.
DefenseRamírez is a versatile and capable defender who can play multiple positions in the infield, such as third base, second base, and shortstop. He has good range, arm strength, and glove work, and he can make plays on the run or on the dive. He has also won a Gold Glove Award for third base in the American League. He is most comfortable at third base, but he can also fill in at second base or shortstop if needed.
Scouting Report of José Ramírez

José Ramírez is a dynamic and productive player who can impact the game in many ways. He is a switch-hitter who can hit for both average and power, a speedy and smart baserunner who can steal bases and take extra bases, and a versatile and capable defender who can play multiple positions in the infield. He is a leader and a star who can spark the offense and anchor the defense. He is currently one of the best third basemen in baseball, and he has been an All-Star five times and a Silver Slugger four times. He is under contract with the Cleveland Guardians until 2028, after signing a seven-year extension with them in April 2022. He has the potential to be a Hall of Famer if he continues to perform at a high level for many years.

FAQs about José Ramírez:

How did José Ramírez get his nickname, “La Piña”?

José Ramírez got his nickname, “La Piña”, which means “The Pineapple” in Spanish, from his teammates and fans, who noticed his resemblance to the tropical fruit. His spiky hair, round face, and yellow uniform all contributed to the nickname. He also embraced the nickname and often wore a pineapple-shaped necklace and hat.

What is José Ramírez’s signature celebration after a home run?

José Ramírez’s signature celebration after a home run is to point his index finger to the sky and yell “Vamooooos!” or “Let’s go!” He does this to show his emotion and excitement on the field, as well as to pump up his teammates and fans. He also sometimes does a dance or a handshake with his teammates at home plate or in the dugout.

How did José Ramírez sign with the Cleveland Guardians in 2009?

José Ramírez signed with the Cleveland Guardians (then known as the Indians) in 2009, when he was 17 years old. He was discovered by Ramón Peña, a scout for the Guardians, who saw him play in the Dominican Prospect League. Peña was impressed by Ramírez’s speed, bat control, and energy, and he offered him a $50,000 signing bonus. Ramírez accepted the offer and began his professional career in the minor leagues.

What are some of the awards and honors that José Ramírez has received in his career?

Some of the awards and honors that José Ramírez has received in his career are:

  • MLB All-Star in 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023
  • Silver Slugger Award in 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2022
  • Gold Glove Award in 2019
  • Member of the 30–30 club in 2018
  • Two-time cycle hitter in 2016 and 2021
  • Third-place finisher in the AL MVP voting in 2017 and 2018

Who are some of the players that José Ramírez admires or models his game after?

Some of the players that José Ramírez admires or models his game after are:

  • Robinson Canó, the former second baseman who played for several teams, including the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners, who had a smooth swing and a powerful bat from both sides of the plate.
  • Francisco Lindor, his former teammate and friend who played for the Guardians from 2015 to 2020, who had a similar style and personality on the field and off the field.
  • Albert Pujols, the future Hall of Famer who played for several teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels, who had an impressive career as one of the best hitters and sluggers of all time.

READ MORE: Kevin Gausman: Professional Baseball Pitcher for the Toronto Blue – Bio, Strength, Height & more

You May Also Like