Wilkin Ramirez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	118
AVG	.271
OBP	.318
SLG	.398
HR	1

Full name Wilkin Emilio Ramirez
Born 10/25/1985 in Bani, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Escuela Primaria El Fundo
Debut 05/20/2009

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Signed out of the Dominican Republic as a third baseman in 2003, Ramirez moved to left field in 2007 and made his way to the majors last season. He homered off Matt Harrison in his first big league game, but for the most part came back to earth bit after having the best minor league season (.303/.371/.522) of his career in 2008. Although he's still a bit raw, Ramirez continues to show off tantalizing five-tool ability. Both his power and speed grade as above-average and he could be a 25-25 man in the majors. He has the bat speed to catch up with major league fastballs and the swing to hit .280-.300. Ramirez has a swing-hard-in-case-you-hit-it approach, so his power comes with a lot of strikeouts. His stroke can get a bit long at times and he's pull-oriented, leaving him exposed to breaking balls off the plate. He fits best in left field because he's still learning to play the outfield, but he has a strong arm. He needs to take better routes on flyballs and get better jumps on the bases. Detroit doesn't have an established left fielder, but Ramirez could use some more seasoning at Triple-A Toledo. He could push for a regular job in the majors by the end of 2010.
Originally signed as a third baseman, Ramirez struggled with his defense and his health before moving to left field in 2007. His intriguing tools finally translated into consistent success in 2008, as he enjoyed the best season of his career. Ramirez has a strong, muscular frame. His calling card is his combination of extra-base power and above-average speed, rare for a corner outfielder his size. He has a relatively upright batting stance, with a controlled stride and smooth righthanded swing. His arm strength is a plus tool. He's a confident player who carries himself well on the field. For all Ramirez's offensive ability, his inability to recognize breaking pitches has slowed his progress and explained a poor showing in his brief stay at Triple-A Toledo. His play in left field has improved, though he's still a subpar and, at times, disinterested defender. He doesn't have the instincts of a natural outfielder and probably won't be able to play center or right field. If he learns how to hit breaking balls, Ramirez could be an everyday player and possibly a 20-20 man in the big leagues. But if he does not make more regular contact, it will be difficult for the Tigers to overlook his defensive limitations.
Ramirez was struggling at third base and had played more than 70 games only once since signing with the Tigers in 2003. Last year, the Tigers decided to solve both issues by moving him to left field, where his defense would be less of an issue and he wouldn't suffer as much wear and tear. It worked, as Ramirez wasn't as much of a liability with the glove and nearly established a new career high with 122 games. He has plus power and a high ceiling, but he must improve his pitch recognition in order to have consistent success at the upper levels. Because of a tendency to chase breaking pitches, he has more strikeouts than games played in his career. Still, he has a good work ethic, which bodes well for his chances to make the necessary adjustments. Ramirez possesses plus speed but had difficulty judging balls in the outfield because of inexperience. He has a strong throwing arm that has bounced back from labrum surgery that cost him the entire 2004 season. His athleticism should enable him to be a close-to-average defender once he has more repetitions in the outfield. Ramirez has an intriguing blend of power and speed but lacks polish. He seems likely to return to Double-A for 2008.
Ramirez' tools have never been in doubt. His health, however, has been a constant issue. Ramirez missed the 2004 season after surgery to repair a torn labrum, spent much of 2005 as a DH, and then played just 66 games last year. He got into one game after June, when a foul ball caused a deep bruise and severe swelling in his shin. Even before the injury, though, Ramirez wasn't having the season Detroit had hoped for. Though he has one of the highest ceilings in the system, his poor plate discipline undermines his offensive potential. He has excellent bat speed and the ability to drive the ball out of any part of any park, but that won't matter much if he chases pitches and can't make consistent contact. His speed and arm strength are both above-average, giving him the tools to play in the outfield if he continues to struggle at third base. He has a career .857 fielding percentage at the hot corner, where he made 22 errors in 65 games in 2006. Ramirez probably will repeat high Class A this year, with a focus on remaining healthy and improving his hitting approach.
After an intriguing debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2003, Ramirez missed the entire 2004 season after right shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. He returned to play his first full season last year, though he spent the majority of his time playing DH in deference to his defense and his shoulder. Until Cameron Maybin signed, Ramirez was the closest thing the Tigers had to a five-tool player. He has the most raw power in the organization, able to drive the ball out of any part of virtually any park thanks to excellent bat speed. His arm strength has returned to above-average, and he's one of the organization's better runners. Ramirez has good hands, enough range and plenty of arm to play third base, but his rust and poor footwork led to 26 errors in just 57 games there. The Tigers aren't in a hurry to move him, and he's athletic enough for an outfield corner if needed. His lack of plate discipline and a consistent approach resulted in him leading the low Class A Midwest League in strikeouts last season. Ramirez should start 2006 in high Class A. If the Tigers think his bat is ready for an early promotion, don't be surprised if a position switch follows soon thereafter.
After signing for $300,000 out of the Dominican Republic prior to the 2003 season, Ramirez had a promising pro debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. But he wasn't able to build on it last year because he tore the labrum in his right shoulder, sidelining him for the entire season. He returned for instructional league, though he still wasn't able to throw. He was impressive at the plate, hitting a couple of tape-measure blasts. Ramirez has one of the highest offensive ceilings in the system. For his age, he's exceptionally strong, has good knowledge of the strike zone, recognizes pitches well and handles breaking stuff. He has average speed and had arm strength to match before his injury, which has put his chances of sticking at third base at risk. If he can't make the throws from the hot corner, he'll move to first base, where he should still have enough power to project as a regular. Even before the injury, he wasn't a sure thing at third base, making 21 errors in 42 games in 2003. He's advanced enough at the plate to go to low Class A despite missing a full season.
The Tigers beat out several teams and spent $300,000 to sign Ramirez out of the Dominican Republic last February, and it appears at this point to be a good investment. He's a big, strong, righthanded hitter who idolizes Manny Ramirez (no relation), and he has copied many of his mannerisms. Ramirez struck out frequently during his pro debut in the Gulf Coast League but when he did connect, he showed power to all fields. He's advanced for a teenager, as he hits offspeed stuff surprisingly well and doesn't chase many pitches out of the strike zone. He has average speed and arm strength, but he's raw defensively. He led GCL third basemen with 21 errors in 48 games. Detroit likes Ramirez' makeup and may jump him to low Class A to begin 2004.

Minor League Top Prospects

Ramirez has flown under the radar the last two years, missing all of 2004 after tearing the labrum in his throwing shoulder and spending more time at DH than third base while recovering with West Michigan. The only category he led the MWL in was strikeouts. But one AL scout said he thought Ramirez had the best bat speed and as much offensive potential as almost anyone in the league. He's strong and explosive, and he also has average speed. He wasn't a strong defender at third base before his injury, and footwork problems led to 26 errors in 57 games at the hot corner this year. The outfield may be in his future.