CLEVELAND, Ohio — José Ramírez, recently signed to a seven-year, $175 million extension with the Guardians, earned the top spot as Major League Baseball’s best third baseman according to MLB Network’s latest rankings released Wednesday night. This recognition highlights Ramírez’s significant impact on the field and reinforces his place among baseball’s elite players.
Ramírez Tops MLB Network’s List of Leading Third Basemen
MLB Network unveiled its ranking of the
Top 10 Third Basemen Right Now,
placing José Ramírez first, ahead of established names like Max Muncy of the Dodgers and Alex Bregman of the Cubs. The top ten also includes Matt Chapman (Giants), Manny Machado (Padres), Junior Caminero (Rays), Bo Bichette (Mets), Isaac Paredes (Astros), Eugenio Suárez (Reds), and Austin Riley (Braves).
Expert Praise Highlights Ramírez’s Comprehensive Skill Set
Mike Lowell, MLB Network analyst and former third baseman, praised Ramírez’s versatility and consistent excellence, stating,
“He has no weaknesses at the third base position. He’s one of the best base runners in the game, plays great defense. He obliterates left-handed pitching, but he still hits well off right-handed pitching from the left side. There’s nothing he doesn’t do great.”
?Mike Lowell, MLB Network analyst
Lowell further emphasized Ramírez’s unusual combination of physical traits and superior performance:
“Just a Hall of Fame resume he’s putting together. It’s a really enjoyable to watch because I think physically, he doesn’t fit as that prototype third baseman, not as tall, not as built as maybe some of the other guys. But the numbers come to play.”
?Mike Lowell, MLB Network analyst
He also noted the remarkable gap between Ramírez and the rest of the field:
“I don’t think there’s a position in all the years where we’ve done the Top 10, where there’s been such a big gap between No. 1 and No.2.”
?Mike Lowell, MLB Network analyst
Performance Metrics and Career Achievements Underpinning the Ranking
MLB Network’s rankings reflect a blend of offensive and defensive metrics tracked over several seasons, including advanced Statcast data. In the 2025 season, Ramírez contributed significantly to the Guardians capturing their third AL Central title in four years, finishing with a .283 batting average, 34 doubles, 30 home runs, and 85 runs batted in.
For a second consecutive season, Ramírez achieved the 30-30 milestone with 30 home runs and 44 steals in 51 attempts, underscoring his dual-threat capability as both a power hitter and base runner. At 33 years old, the switch-hitter is a seven-time All-Star, six-time Silver Slugger recipient, and consistently ranks among the American League MVP leaders, having finished in the top six seven times, including a runner-up finish and multiple third places.
His Place Among Baseball’s Premier Players and Latin American Leaders
Besides his top spot among third basemen, Ramírez was recently ranked fifth among MLB’s 100 best players heading into the 2026 season. He stands as the highest-ranked player from Latin America, trailing only Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., and Cal Raleigh on the list, further solidifying his status as a premier talent on baseball’s global stage.
As Ramírez continues his career, this recognition not only affirms his multi-faceted skill set and consistent production but also sets expectations for his future contributions to the Guardians and Major League Baseball. Observers will be keen to see how he builds on this momentum in the upcoming seasons, potentially moving closer to a Hall of Fame-worthy legacy.
