Ramirez Rise to Prominence: An Exclusive Club Awaits
Eight players in major league history have hit at least 300 homers and stolen at least 300 bases in their careers. Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez is closing in on that octet.
Ramirez came tantalizingly close to history in 2024. He finished the season with 39 homers and 41 steals, just one home run shy of becoming the seventh member of the 40-40 club. However, his accomplishments were overshadowed as Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani blew past both marks, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit over 50 homers and steal over 50 bases in the same season.
Being overshadowed is nothing new with Ramirez. He has a resume that most major league players would covet. Ramirez is a six-time All-Star, won five Silver Slugger awards and has finished in the top three of the MVP vote three times.
Ramirez has the production to match those accolades. He has posted a .279/.352/.504 batting line in his 6086 plate appearances, hitting 364 doubles and 255 homers while stealing 243 bases. Ramirez ranks 12th among active players with 52.4 bWAR. Only Manny Machado and Nolan Arenado are ahead of Ramirez among active third basemen.
He may not be overlooked for much longer. Ramirez needs just 45 homers and 57 steals to join the 300-300 club. If he continues his career rates, with 28 homers and 27 steals on average per 162 games, Ramirez would join that group with his 300th stolen base early in 2027. As he stole a career-high 41 bases in 2024, Ramirez could hit his 300th homer and steal his 300th base by the middle of the 2026 season.
