"Jose Ramirez is an MVP caliber player every year" - MLB insider emphasizes the importance of the Guardians’ star

In the fifth inning of Game 4 on Thursday, Jose Ramirez took Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton 418 feet to left field at Comerica Park. On the heels of a huge regular season for Cleveland, the jack represented Ramirez's first home run of the 2024 postseason.

The Guardians won the game 5-4, forcing a winner-take-all Game 5 back at Progressive Field. Although Ramirez has hit just .143 this postseason, his regular season was massive, and he is receiving due praise.

In an edition of MLB Network on Thursday night, MLB insider Harold Reynolds lauded Ramirez. According to the former infielder, Ramirez's impact on his team is immeasurable, as Reynolds claimed:

"Here's a guy who is making big-time, All-Star contributions. He's an MVP-calibre player, and he busts his tail every day. You want to know who the Guardians are? It's him."

A member of the Cleveland Guardians since he made his MLB debut in 2013, Ramirez ranks tenth in franchise hits, seventh in runs batted in, sixth in doubles, and second only to Jim Thome for the most homers in franchise history.

In the regular season preceding his critical two-run shot against the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS, Jose Ramirez was on a roll. The 32-year-old's .872 OPS was his highest since the 2021 season. In addition to hitting .279/.335/.537, Ramirez matched his career high in 39 homers and also stole a career-high 41 bases.

"JOSE RAMIREZ. GO AHEAD BLAST" - MLB

Apart from his clutch homer in Game 4, Ramirez has had a quiet few games this postseason. However, as Cleveland hopes to punch their ticket to the ALCS against the New York Yankees, Ramirez's 10 RBIs in his last 14 playoff games certainly looks like a favorable split.

Jose Ramirez commands respect from opposing clubs

In Game 3, Tigers manager AJ Hinch intentionally walked Ramirez, although the All-Star third baseman was hitting below .150 in the postseason. Hinch spoke to Detroit News after his call to give the slugger a free base:

"I don't like doing that, he's got my respect on so many levels. And it's not easy facing him or (the hitter) behind him. Naylor is no easy guy. He made the All-Star team."

With one win now separating Ramirez and company with a date in the ALCS, watch out for the vintage performances to come to fruition for Ramirez.