José Ramírez has transformed and so have the Indians

CLEVELAND, OH – José Ramírez got off to an awful start in 2019. His numbers were bad and the at-bats looked worse.

The swagger that he was known for wasn’t there. It led to errors in the field and less trash talk in the clubhouse. Ramírez looked like a different player. If he didn’t wear number 11 and dominate his teammates in Mario Kart, no one would’ve recognized the two-time All-Star.

Plenty of people questioned Ramírez. Was this the new normal? It’s safe to say we have the answer.

Ramírez hit two home runs in Thursday night’s win over the Yankees, including his first career grand slam. The 26-year-old has been on fire for the Tribe.

You know, bro! Four-run home-run pitch!#RallyTogether | @IndiansSTREAM: https://t.co/GDwZayvHME pic.twitter.com/VOF1qlmmSP

He started to turn the corner on June 14 and hasn’t looked back. He’s hit 15 of his 19 home runs and 52 of his 73 RBI over that span.

The Indians are 39-14 since June 14, which is when Ramírez started to look like his old self. Adding a legitimate cleanup hitter like Yasiel Puig has only helped things. Ramírez has four home runs, seven doubles and 15 RBI in 12 games with Puig in the lineup.

The swagger has been back for quite some time. He walks around the clubhouse with the same strut that he’s known for and doesn’t hesitate to trash talk after demolishing one of his teammates in Mario Kart.

If Ramírez continues to be the player he’s been over the past two months, than the Indians are legitimate contenders in the American League. They survived his struggles, multiple injuries and have given themselves a shot to make an October run.

Ramírez had a dreadful start to the season, but if he can take this hot streak into the playoffs; the Indians are going to be as dangerous as any team in baseball. Cleveland won’t be the favorite regardless of what happens over the final six weeks of the season, but a lineup that has Francisco Lindor, Carlos Santana, Franmil Reyes, Puig and Ramírez can put up runs in bunches. Thursday night’s outburst is just an example of how different this team is compared to what it was on Opening Day.

The Indians need Ramírez to make the past two months his new normal. The days of him looking tentative at the plate have to stay in the past.

If Hosey remains aggressive, then there’s no reason to think his stellar play is going to change anytime soon.