Fansided

Top 25 MLB players under 25

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez hits an infield single against the Chicago Cubs in the second inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez hits an infield single against the Chicago Cubs in the second inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Jose Ramirez

IF, Cleveland Indians

  • Birthday: September 17, 1992 (Age: 24)
  • Career Statistics: .275/.331/.404, 19 HR, 120 RBI, 166 R, 42 SB, 7.2 WAR
  • 2016 Statistics: .312/.363/.462, 11 HR, 76 RBI, 84 R, 22 SB, 3.9 WAR

Jose Ramirez showed flashes of the talent that made the Cleveland Indians push him to the major leagues in 2013 at the age of 20, but the switch-hitting infielder hit just .239/.298/.346 with eight home runs and 44 RBI in his first 180 games from 2013-15 before bearing out in a big way last season.

There is some concern that Ramirez’s break out 2016 season could be a flash in the pan, but there is also optimism he can repeat that success. Chad Young of FanGraphs.com put it best:

"“There are people who will tell you that Jose Ramirez’s breakout 2016 season came out of nowhere and cannot be repeated. Ignore those people. Compared to his 2015 season, Ramirez had slight decreases in both walk rate and strikeout rate, while his fly ball ratio and home run to fly ball rate stayed the same. So what changed? He pulled the ball less, using all fields and hitting more line drives. His Hard% went up a little, but he brought down his Soft% a lot. He swung more aggressively, particularly at pitches in the zone, without losing any contact. He also get much luckier – instead of a .232 batting average on balls in play, he posted a .333 BABIP (which might be related to that batted ball data). The thing is, every single one of those changes is easily repeatable."

Ramirez certainly started the 2017 season well. After a X in his first at bat, Ramirez hit a two-run homer off Yu Darvish in the fourth inning Opening Day.

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