Guardians' Jose Ramirez could finally get rid of 'overlooked' label with four milestones in 2026
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Guardians' Jose Ramirez could finally get rid of 'overlooked' label with four milestones in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Cleveland Guardians in 2026 might not have a ton of hope for a deep postseason run thanks to lower spending and holes all across the roster.
But, if there was one thing to look forward to, other than Chase DeLauter continuing his incredibly hot start all year long, it would be what Jose Ramirez could do this season.
ESPN's Bradford Doolittle believes that Ramirez can reach three milestones this season, all of which are very doable, and in doing so, Ramirez could finally shed the "overlooked" label and enter the public conscience as a sure-fire future Hall of Famer.
How Jose Ramirez can finally shake 'overlooked' label in 2026
"There are a lot of milestones Jose Ramirez will hit this season if he is healthy, and a number of franchise leaderboards he's climbing," Doolittle writes. "Maybe if Ramirez reaches some of these numbers, more people will take notice of what a special player he has been for so many years. Somehow, he still seems overlooked."
The milestones and records that are noteworthy to follow for Ramirez in 2026 involve the Guardians franchise record for total bases, with significant milestones for home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases all within reach.
Ramirez has 3009 total bases in his career, and with 160 games to go in 2026, he only needs to record 192 to break the current record. Considering he has well surpassed that total every season since 2016 (other than 2020), that record is likely for Ramirez this year.
But that's not all he's chasing this season. Ramirez is currently at 399 doubles; he needs just one more to reach 400 for his career. That will happen, potentially before the calendar turns over to April this season.
Ramirez is also sitting at 285 home runs in his career. With just 15 home runs, a total he's reached every year since 2017, he should be able to reach 300 homers in his 14th season.
More: Jacob DeGrom is only 149 strikeouts from 2,000 for his career
Likely on the way to such a milestone, he would also go past 1,000 RBIs for his career, which he's currently at 951, only 49 from such a remarkable milestone.
Last, and certainly not least, is his stolen base total. He's at 288 coming into 2026, and with 12, he'd reach 300 for his career.
It's well within reason to believe that a typically great Ramirez season would have the future Hall of Famer close out 2026 with the Guardians franchise record for most total bases in a career, while also reaching 400 doubles, 300 home runs, 1,000 RBIs, and 300 stolen bases.
If he could reach all of those totals, as Doolittle noted, hopefully, fans from around baseball who don't watch the Guardians closely could finally get an idea that Ramirez is one of the best players in the sport currently.
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