But you'd be hard-pressed to find somebody who feels the Marlins' shortstop has reached his full potential yet.

For that reason, Ramirez's name being mentioned in the voting for the National League Most Valuable Player Award once again should give opposing NL pitchers shivers as they wonder how much higher the 24-year-old's stock can grow.

On Monday, while Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols took home his second NL MVP -- as voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America -- Ramirez came in 11th place with 55 total points. The Dominican Republic native received two fourth-, fifth-, sixth-, eighth- and ninth-place votes, as well as a seventh-place vote and five 10th-place votes.

Going into his third full season in the Major Leagues, Ramirez had already received the National League Rookie of the Year Award and a 10th-place finish in the MVP voting in 2007. In 2008, Ramirez got his first invite to the All-Star Game and received a Silver Slugger Award for the first time.

The 2008 season may have been a down year for Ramirez compared to his previous campaign -- with his batting average, RBIs and stolen bases dropping -- but there are many players who would take a down year like that. The 6-foot-3 right-handed hitter batted .301 to go along with a career-high 33 home runs, 67 RBIs, 35 stolen bases and a Major League-leading 125 runs scored while appearing in 153 games.

Ramirez's RBI totals could've been higher if he didn't spend 135 games hitting from the leadoff spot. Next year, with the speedy Cameron Maybin looking to be the starting center fielder, Ramirez could find his way in the middle of the order, and his power numbers could go up.

So could the number of votes he receives for the NL's best player award.

Pujols received 18 first-place votes to garner 369 points and win the award, while Phillies slugger Ryan Howard -- who had his best month in September -- received 12 first-place votes and 308 points.