It wasn’t the best month for the Cleveland Guardians as a whole here in Cleveland. The team struggled to win games and went 9-12 for the entire month. However, shining star 3B Jose Ramirez went against the grain, so to speak.
Via The Plain Dealer: “Ramirez had 15 extra-base hits and an OPS of 1.133 in 22 games (95 plate appearances). It’s the third time in his career that Ramirez has won the award, last in September of 2020.”
It was also an excellent month for rookie outfielder Steven Kwan. This young man, at the ripe age of 24, is showing what a bright future he has on the Guardians.
Also via The Plain Dealer: “Kwan batted .354 with a .959 OPS scoring 10 runs and driving in seven runs, 7 RBI in 15 April games. Kwan reached base 18 times (10-for-15, seven walks, one hit by pitch), the most through a player’s first five career games in MLB history, since 1900.”
Yeah, we’re talking stats from 122 years ago. Think about that…
This season may not be a year where the Guardians are necessarily contending for a World Series. A 10-12 record currently and three games behind the Minnesota Twins at the moment for first-place is not so great.
Never say “Never” with an AL Central that is poor.
What these awards do mean for the Guardians is just how bright the future is with these players on the roster.
Take a look at Ramirez.
The team just signed him to a 5-year, 141 million-dollar contract. Thus, he’ll be swinging away for Cleveland for a long time coming.
Kwan is just getting started as a rookie and will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his skill set in the coming years.
Look, this season is a tough one.
First, with the name change that I don’t think a single person actually liked. Then, the team struggled to win games with a seven-game losing streak this month that was absolutely awful to watch. Even so, let’s add a few pieces and parts along with these two stars and make this team a contender in the coming years.
That was the recipe for success when the team nearly won it all in 2016 and that’s what the Guardians will have to do again here in the coming years to find themselves back in the playoffs and ultimately the World Series down the road.
Congratulations Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan on your awards! Keep up the amazing play.
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