12 months agoCleveland Guardians' third baseman Jose Ramirez continued his impressive career in 2023, boasting a .282/.365/.475 slash line and a 123 wRC+ in the latest season. Maintaining a remarkable consistency, Ramirez has had a 100 wRC+ or higher each year since 2016, securing five top-10 MVP finishes. Noteworthy improvements in his peripherals from 2022 include an increased average exit velocity from 87.7 to 90.0 and a rise in hard-hit percentage from 36.9 percent to 40.4 percent. At 31 years old, Ramirez finds himself in the prime of his career, poised for another outstanding season in 2024. Despite the Guardians' apparent lack of moves to fortify their lineup, the potential return of a healthy Josh Naylor and the anticipated call-up of top prospect Kyle Manzardo could reduce teams' inclination to pitch around Ramirez, presenting him with better opportunities. While Ramirez fell short of achieving three consecutive seasons with 100 RBIs, he remains a premier fantasy option if the Guardians' offensive performance improves this year. Currently holding an ADP around 12 and ranked 13th overall in fantasy, Ramirez's sustained excellence is evident. However, concerns arise from the Guardians' limited offensive enhancements, hinting at potential struggles akin to the previous year. Although Ramirez possesses the capability to excel in driving in runs and various hitting statistics, his fantasy standing may be influenced if opponents can replicate strategies from the previous year and pitch around him effectively.--Tony Camino - RotoBaller