CBS Sports Predicts Jose Ramirez To Do This In 2023
The Cleveland Guardians start the 2023 season this Thursday in Seattle. There have been a lot of predictions and projections with the season getting this close with some favoring the Guardians, and other not so much.
However, CBS Sports expects big things from the defending American League Central champions. Specifically from Jose Ramirez, who they have projected to win the American League MVP this season.
This came in CBS's "bold predictions" story, but predicting Jose to win MVP isn't really a hot take. He's never won the award, however, he's been so close for so many years.
Ramirez finished third in 2017, third in 2018, second in 2020, sixth in 2021, and fourth in 2022. At some point he has to win it, right? If there was going to be a year that Jose finally seals the deal and win his first MVP award then 2023 seems like a pretty good year for it to happen.
For one, he'll be fully healthy heading into the season after suffering a thumb injury last June that required offseason surgery. Despite this, Jose still hit .280, with 29 home runs, and a career-high 126 RBI. The Guardians would never have been able to surprise baseball and win their division if it wasn't for Ramirez's production on the field and his leadership off it.
This is what Mike Axisa, the author of the article, had to say regarding his prediction:
What does an MVP season for Ramírez look like? A lot like his last few seasons, but a bit better. Something like a .290/.370/.530 line with 35 homers and 30 stolen bases, strong defense at the hot corner, and clutch hits in spades. Also, the Guardians winning the AL Central. That'll help his MVP case with many voters. After years of finishing high in the MVP voting, Ramírez finally wins it in 2023. I have boldly predicted it.
Whenever you're talking about the MVP race you have to include Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge will undoubtedly be contenders this season. Will Jose do enough to outshine them? We'll have to wait and see!
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