Ramirez continues to emerge as team leader

CLEVELAND -- Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor was a blue-chip prospect and a first-round Draft pick. Third baseman José Ramírez was signed as a 17-year-old free agent. Their divergent paths to the Majors ended in Cleveland, where they now comprise one of the most exciting infield duos in the American League.
"A lot of people had their eyes on Frankie all along, but Jose had a couple hiccups where he had to go back down [to the Minors]," Indians manager Terry Francona said.
"That's why I think Jose has flown under the radar a little bit outside of our team. I know one thing about both of them, though. They help us win."
Ramirez continued his sizzling start to the season with a two-run, bases-loaded double in Cleveland's 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday afternoon. His 21 RBIs in the first 23 games are the most by an Indians player since Juan Gonzalez had 26 in 2001.
In addition, Ramirez is leading the AL with a .475 batting average at home and is hitting a team-best .333 on the year.
"I thank God that good things always happen to me here," Ramirez said through a translator. "I just try to put the ball into play in those situations. I have asked myself the same question, 'Why do I hit so much better [at Progressive Field]?' I think it must be the routine we have when we're at home."
Surprisingly, given the presence of Edwin Encarnación and Carlos Santana in the Indians' lineup, their home run leaders are Lindor and Ramirez with six apiece. The last Cleveland duo with as many homers at this point of the season were Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez in 2000.
While AL All-Star Lindor displayed good power as a rookie, Ramirez only cleared the fences 19 times in 332 games prior to this year. And while his 5-foot-9, 180-pound frame is significantly more muscular than it was when Ramirez broke into the big leagues in 2013, he still won't be confused with a bodybuilder.
"Jose is generating more power, but it's not just because of his strength," Francona said. "He can pretty much do everything you want from a player and he can do a lot of damage at the plate.
"He can bunt, hit and run, hit in play, and hit the ball out of the ballpark -- and he's still getting better."
The skipper added that many baseball experts pegged Ramirez as a utility player after he wasn't able to permanently stick with the Indians in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Their assessments changed when he filled in for an injured Michael Brantley last season and hit .312 with 11 homers and 76 RBIs.
"If Brantley doesn't get hurt, who knows what happens with him?" Francona admitted. "Jose took that opportunity to play the outfield and ran with it. Now, it's going to be fun watching him and Frankie continue to grow together."