The American League MVP race is heating up between Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr., both of whom are undeniably strong contenders. However, there’s another player who merits consideration: Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians, who continues to deliver standout performances.
Former MLB All-Star A.J. Pierzynski spotlighted this issue on Tuesday’s episode of Foul Territory. Pierzynski expressed frustration over Ramirez’s lack of recognition despite his impressive stats. “He’s currently at 34 home runs and 34 steals, and yet he’s not even being talked about. He’s also racked up 105 RBI, and still, he’s barely mentioned,” Pierzynski said. “It’s astonishing that no one is acknowledging his achievement. With a chance at a 40/40 season, his numbers surpass Bobby Witt Jr.’s in both homers and stolen bases.
The discussion on the show also touched on other potential MVP candidates, like Juan Soto and Gunnar Henderson. Scott Braun and Todd Frazier debated the MVP race, with Braun suggesting Henderson might still have an edge over Ramirez based on the current voting trends and his superior WAR. However, Pierzynski countered by highlighting Ramirez’s exceptional defensive play at third base.
“If Ramirez completes a 40/40 season, that’s usually an MVP-caliber performance,” Pierzynski argued. “In most years, a 40/40 season on a leading team would be a no-brainer for MVP. Yet, nobody’s talking about it. With 73 strikeouts, 105 RBI, 34 home runs, and 38 stolen bases, while playing stellar defense, he’s been remarkably underappreciated. He doesn’t have the lineup protection that Judge benefits from.”
Pierzynski’s point isn’t necessarily that Ramirez should automatically win the MVP but rather that he deserves more recognition for his remarkable season. It’s a valid argument, given the impressive numbers and consistent performance Ramirez has delivered throughout the year.