Cleveland Guardians All-Star José Ramírez Joins 2024 MLB Home Run Derby Field

José Ramírez will take part in the 2024 T-Mobile Home Run Derby, on top of representing the Cleveland Guardians in the MLB All-Star Game.
Jun 23, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Jose Ramirez (11) scores in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field.
Jun 23, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Jose Ramirez (11) scores in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field. / David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Two years after he fell short at Dodger Stadium, José Ramírez is giving the Home Run Derby another shot.

Ramírez announced Tuesday that he would be participating in the 2024 T-Mobile Home Run Derby in Arlington, Texas. The Cleveland Guardians third baseman will also be taking part in the MLB All-Star Game the next day, having already earned a spot in the American League's starting lineup.

Back in 2022, Ramírez made his Home Run Derby debut. He fell in the first round to then-Washington Nationals slugger Juan Soto, who went on to win the event.

Six of the eight spots in the 2024 Home Run Derby field have now been claimed. Ramírez joins Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm and Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna.

Ramírez is batting .269 with 23 home runs, 76 RBI, 16 stolen bases, an .846 OPS and a 2.9 WAR through 86 games this season. His 23 homers are currently tied for fourth most in the league.

For his career, Ramírez has racked up 1,420 hits, 239 home runs, 822 RBI, 218 stolen bases and a 48.4 WAR while batting .278 with an .854 OPS. He is a six-time All-Star with four Silver Sluggers, and he has placed top-10 in AL MVP voting in six of the last season years.

While Ramírez only ranks 22nd among active players in career home runs, he is one of just five active players with 200 home runs, 200 stolen bases and 1,400 hits in his career.

Albert Belle and Jim Thome routinely represented Cleveland in the Home Run Derby throughout the 1990s, while Manny Ramirez, Grady Sizemore and Carlos Santana have all taken part as well. Still, though, no Guardians player has ever emerged victorious, giving José Ramírez a chance to make franchise history next Monday.

Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

You can also follow Sam Connon on Twitter @SamConnon.


Published |Modified
Sam Connon

SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a Staff Writer for Fastball on the Sports Illustrated/FanNation networks. He previously covered UCLA Athletics for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's All Bruins, 247Sports' Bruin Report Online, Rivals' Bruin Blitz, the Bleav Podcast Network and the Daily Bruin, with his work as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk.