CLEVELAND — It’s been quite a week for Guardians superstar third baseman Jose Ramirez. Fresh off a newly minted contract extension officially announced just before last Friday’s home opener, Ramirez came out of the gates hitting at a blistering pace in week one earning him 2022’s first American League Player of the Week award.
Newcomer Stephen Kwan and returning infielder Owen Miller have both proven to be lighting rods of excitement for the team and fans alike, but Ramirez’s greatness at the plate couldn’t be overshadowed. After baseball’s first week, Ramirez leads all of baseball in many key offensive categories including hits (16), total bases (31), RBI (15) and is second in the league to his own teammate Owen Miller in batting average (.457).
Monday's announcement marks the fifth time Ramirez has won the honors for AL Player of the week (twice in 2017, once in 2018, once in 2021).
Ramirez was one of the most consistent bats in the lineup that had a Jekyll and Hyde-like overall performance in their first three series of the 2022 season. After scoring only one run in two games in their first series against the Kansas City Royals, the Guardians offense exploded for 44 runs in four games against the Cincinnati Reds.
The return to Progressive Field for this past weekend's first home series saw a significant dip in offensive production for the Guardians scoring four runs in the San Francisco Giants' three game sweep of the Guardians.
The Guardians will look to get back on track behind the AL Player of the Week tomorrow night at Progressive Field as they take on the AL Central division leading White Sox at 6:10 p.m.
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