Major League Baseball’s top sleeper MVP candidate is arguably the best current player in the game. However, he also has a very strong argument for most underrated and underappreicated star in the MLB. Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, and Shohei Ohtani all will likely make MVP bids in 2022, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will also be on the MVP radar. But it is the Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez who might be able to top all of them. 

Ramirez is underappreciated for a number of reasons. The third baseman stands just 5’9 and does not feature the most intimidating build. His look doesn’t scream “elite superstar.” Additionally, he is on the Cleveland Guardians who are known for playing in a small market. The team has had plenty of stars go under the radar over the past few years including Corey Kluber and at times, even Francisco Lindor. Lindor did receive more national media attention because his peak for Cleveland came when the team was consistently making the postseason and he offered a more flashy media presence.  

But Ramirez is a better player than Lindor was for the team. And that isn’t throwing shade at Lindor. It just further evidence of how talented Ramirez is. Ramirez is arguably the best player in all of baseball right now. Since 2016, he has finished in the 98th percentile in offense, 99th percentile in base running, and 84th percentile in defense, via @gageEHC on twitter.

So what do all these numbers mean for Jose Ramirez? They suggest that he is one of the most complete players in all of the MLB. 

Mike Trout and Mookie Betts are the only two players with a higher fWAR since 2016 as well. And both of them are well-known superstars who have a total of four MVP awards between them.

How many MVPs does Jose Ramirez have? Zero. 

That isn’t to say that he has not been close. Ramirez finished third in MVP voting in both 2017 and 2018. He then finished second in MVP voting during the shortened 2020 campaign, and was sixth in MVP voting last season in 2021. 

So can the 29-year old finally get the recognition he deserves and take home the MVP award in 2022? The main issue working against him is that he plays in Cleveland for the Guardians, who might have trouble competing in 2022. Their pitching rotation is solid but the offense has a number of uncertainties. They really only offer two or three other bats that have displayed an ability to succeed in the MLB. 

Fortunately, he will be hitting in front of the powerful Franmil Reyes. Reyes stands at a hulking 6’5 and weighs 265 pounds while offering elite power from the right side of the plate. His presence in the Guardians lineup will force opposing pitchers to think twice about the idea of walking Ramirez. 

But the fact is that teams that reach the playoffs tend to have the MVP on their roster. Trout and Ohtani have been exceptions playing in Anaheim, but they have also accomplished things on the field we have never seen before. But if Ramirez is able to lead Cleveland to a postseason appearance despite their lackluster lineup, he would almost certainly be a lock for MVP. Even if the Guardians fail to reach October baseball Ramirez could still be in the conversation. But he would need to post truly elite numbers to beat out studs such as Trout, Ohtani, Judge, and Guerrero Jr in that scenario.

Jose Ramirez will look to lead the Cleveland Guardians to a competitive season and take home his first MVP award in 2022.