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Cleveland Indians: Jose Ramirez among AL offensive leaders

By Steven Kubitza

Apr 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Jose Ramirez (left) and third baseman Michael Martinez (right) celebrate the Indians 13-6 win over the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Jose Ramirez (left) and third baseman Michael Martinez (right) celebrate the Indians 13-6 win over the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jose Ramirez has not slowed down a bit in 2017, and the young Cleveland Indians star is among the top offensive performers in the American League.

The Cleveland Indians have a starting lineup featuring several notable storylines.

There is the one surrounding Michael Brantley‘s return and how he already looks to be playing like his old self.

Then there is the one surrounding Edwin Encarnacion, who was supposed to come in and hit dingers right away. He is off to a slow start, but no one is writing him off just yet.

Francisco Lindor‘s rise from top prospect to MLB superstar is also a focus, as he has gotten off to a great start, as expected.

But then there is Jose Ramirez, who we all might be taking for granted. Ramirez had his breakout year in 2016 and signed a contract extension as a result, but no one knew if he was going to be able to repeat his marks from a year ago.

He has taken any doubts and thrown them to the side, as he has begun the season as the team leader in many offensive categories, just ahead of Lindor and Brantley. He is also stacking up well against the rest of the league.

His 18 RBI put him just one behind Nelson Cruz for the AL-lead, while his .320 batting average is good for 11th in the AL. He did get off to a rather slow start, but a 4-for-4 day on April 15 was enough to turn things around.

The Indians need him to play at an elite level while players like Encarnacion, Yan Gomes and others try to have that one big game of their own to get things headed in the right direction.

Ramirez has settled in nicely into the fifth spot in the lineup, and will be manning the spot once again tonight when Corey Kluber takes the mound in search of a series victory over the Houston Astros.

Next: Brantley extends streak in victory

Kluber will give the team a great shot at a victory, but if the Indians win it would not be surprising if Ramirez had a major part in the victory. His name seems to stand out in the box score after each victory this season as he continues to be one of the best hitters in the league.

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