In a season characterized by both offensive and defensive mastery, José Ramírez of the Cleveland Guardians has become the anti-hero at the hot corner, securing his position at the top of the majority of third-base rankings in Major League Baseball.

Leading the Pack in WAR

Recent statistics show that Ramírez leads all MLB third basemen in WAR (wins above replacement) with 4.9, surpassing Manny Machado by a full 1.1 WAR.  His overall dominance this season is further supported by this glaring statistical advantage.

Top Rank in Expert Positional Lists

Expert opinion on Ramírez’s impact, consistency, and ceiling led MLB Network to rank him as the top third baseman at the moment.   His status in the sport is further highlighted by the fact that MLB.com’s more comprehensive positional ranking places him first, followed by Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman.

Bleacher Report & Fantasy Six-Pack Echo the Praise

According to Bleacher Report’s in-depth analysis, Ramirez is the league’s best third baseman because of his MVP-caliber performances and consistent excellence.   Similar findings are found in fantasy rankings, where he is regarded by both players and analysts as one of the best, frequently selected first at third base due to his unique combination of strength, speed, and reliability.   He is even ranked as the second-best player overall by ESPN fantasy rankings, only surpassed by Shohei Ohtani.

Elite Offensive & Base-Stealing Production

Ramírez has led the Guardians this season with 32 stolen bases, 21 doubles, and 23 home runs while keeping up an outstanding record. 143 OPS+ and 891 OPS.  His steady output suggests that he is a real threat in the 30-30 range and is on pace to become just the third third baseman in Major League Baseball history to have several seasons in the 30-30 range.

Accolades and Career Milestones

Ramírez, a five-time Silver Slugger at third base, made the All-MLB First Team in 2024 and continues to receive MVP votes.   In addition, he became the first player in Guards history to reach the 250 home run and 250 stolen base milestone, which is uncommon in MLB.

Defensive Excellence Radiates, Too

Ramírez has excelled at glove work in addition to being a batting machine.  He made several clutch double plays in a dominant game against the Yankees, securing Cleveland’s infield defense and offering emotional leadership on the field.

Final Take: Why Ramírez Reigns Supreme at Third Base

José Ramírez surpasses his peers in every way, from positional voting and WAR dominance to fantasy rankings and statistical milestones.  In addition to being the best third baseman of 2025, he is also one of the most valuable and complete players in the game due to his diverse excellence in power hitting, base-stealing, defensive stability, and intangibles.

The argument for Ramírez as the hot corner’s gold standard, both analytically and narratively, is overwhelming if the season ended today.