James Ramsey Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2000
AVG	.26
OBP	.353
SLG	.413
HR	60

Full name James Brogan Ramsey
Born 12/19/1989 in Alpharetta, GA
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Florida State
Drafted in the 1st round (23rd overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012 (signed for $1,600,000).

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Scouts have called Ramsey the Tim Tebow of Florida State baseball, referring to his leadership, strong Christian faith and big-play ability, and Seminoles coaches don't shrink from the comparison. The first player under 33-year head coach Mike Martin to wear a "C" on his uniform as team captain, Ramsey spurned the Twins as a 22nd-round pick last summer, turning down more than $500,000 from a club that wanted to shift him to second base. He has moved from right to center field as a senior and got off to a blistering start, and he was batting .401/.536/.731 to lead the Atlantic Coast Conference in all three categories. Scouts see Ramsey as much the same player he was last year, with average to above-average tools but no true plus tool. He's an above-average runner who might be able to stick in center field, though some scouts question his instincts and doubt he could stick there in a larger home park. He has an average, accurate arm sufficient for right field. Ramsey has average power but may not have corner power. He's a safe bet to be a big leaguer, with scouts split on just how much impact he'll have. He has yet to play the infield, but another club might want to follow the Twins' lead and try him at second in a Jason Kipnis redux.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

While at Florida State, Ramsey drew Tim Tebow comparisons for his on-field performance, leadership skills and strong Christian faith. The Cardinals signed the Rhodes Scholar nominee for $1.6 million as a first-round pick in 2012 then traded him to the Indians for Justin Masterson in July 2014. Ramsey got off to a solid start to his pro career, showing more power than he had in college, but he struggled in his first full season with the Indians, batting .243/.327/.382 in 126 games at Triple-A Columbus. None of his tools stand out, but his intelligent approach to the game helps them play up. He's an above-average runner and is capable of playing anywhere in the outfield thanks to his average arm strength. Ramsey has struggled against lefthanders and likely will end up as a platoon player or a fourth outfielder if he doesn't become more consistent. He'll start 2016 back at Columbus but could break through to the big leagues with a solid performance.
Ramsey spurned the Twins as a 22nd-round pick in 2011 to return for his senior season at Florida State. Scouts have been divided on Ramsey's potential going back to his college days. He may lack a true carrying tool but should be well-rounded. He has an intelligent approach and doesn't try to do too much at the plate. Neither his hit nor power tools grade out as better than average. He's an above-average runner, though that speed hasn't translated into stolen bases, and the Indians can see him being an outstanding defender in center field. Ramsey has an average throwing arm and can handle any of the three outfield positions if need be. After being the odd-man out in a deep St. Louis outfield picture, Ramsey gets a fresh look with Cleveland, though he has no obvious avenue to the Indians' lefty-heavy lineup. He'll split time in center field with Naquin at Triple-A Columbus in 2015.
The descriptions of Ramsey continue to trend more toward his character and constitution than his tools and production, but he brought them more in synch with a superb first full pro season. Ramsey's reputation for leadership, charisma and his Christian faith preceded him into pro ball. He was the first Florida State player to wear a "C" on his jersey and was a Rhodes Scholar nominee. Scouts call Ramsey a gamer with great makeup, while others don't see a standout tool. He doesn't have a glaring weakness, however, grading out at least average across the board. Ramsey proved adept in center field with improved instincts, above-average closing speed, smart range and a solid-average arm. He took advantage of Double-A Springfield's comfy home park and hit 15 homers but doesn't project for that kind of power. Rather, he's a gap hitter who will turn singles into doubles thanks to his above-average speed. His strike-zone discipline improved in 2013, but his 108 strikeouts in 347 at-bats at Double-A speak to the adjustments in store. The Cardinals love Ramsey's intangibles and will give him the chance to earn the center field job at Triple-A Memphis, with the majors on deck.
Ramsey was the Tim Tebow of college baseball for his combination of leadership, charisma and Christian faith. The label also fit the divergent views of his potential. To some, Ramsey is a talented player and a standup individual with no standout tool. To others, he's a potential starter in center field who could hit near the top of a big league order while galvanizing a clubhouse. Count the Cardinals among the latter after they drafted him 23rd overall in June and signed him for $1.6 million, the fifth-highest bonus ever for a college senior. He turned in a first-team All-America season last spring, batting .378/.513/.652 and leading Florida State to the College World Series after turning down second-round money from the Twins as a 22nd-round pick in 2011. In an aggressive move, St. Louis pushed Ramsey to high Class A for his pro debut and he struggled. His 59 strikeouts in 56 games were attributed to a mechanical glitch in his swing, one coaches think he can correct with experience. Most scouts agree that he can hit for a solid average, but many wonder if he'll have even average power. Ramsey has above-average speed and puts it to good use in center and on the bases. He'll turn in plus-plus times down the first-base line, a tribute to his constant energy and effort. His arm is average. There's no doubt about his stellar makeup, as Ramsey was the first Seminole to wear a captain's "C" on his uniform, won an award for his community service and was both president of Florida State's student-athlete advisory council and a Rhodes Scholar nominee. He'll return to Palm Beach to start 2013.

Draft Prospects

Scouts have called Ramsey the Tim Tebow of Florida State baseball, referring to his leadership, strong Christian faith and big-play ability, and Seminoles coaches don't shrink from the comparison. The first player under 33-year head coach Mike Martin to wear a "C" on his uniform as team captain, Ramsey spurned the Twins as a 22nd-round pick last summer, turning down more than $500,000 from a club that wanted to shift him to second base. He has moved from right to center field as a senior and got off to a blistering start, and he was batting .401/.536/.731 to lead the Atlantic Coast Conference in all three categories. Scouts see Ramsey as much the same player he was last year, with average to above-average tools but no true plus tool. He's an above-average runner who might be able to stick in center field, though some scouts question his instincts and doubt he could stick there in a larger home park. He has an average, accurate arm sufficient for right field. Ramsey has average power but may not have corner power. He's a safe bet to be a big leaguer, with scouts split on just how much impact he'll have. He has yet to play the infield, but another club might want to follow the Twins' lead and try him at second in a Jason Kipnis redux.

Minor League Top Prospects

Ramsey took a big step toward matching his production on the diamond with his high-character reputation and leadership skills off it. He simplified his swing and approach to produce his best season as a pro before the Cardinals shipped him to the Indians at the trade deadline for righthander Justin Masterson. Ramsey can do a little bit of everything but lacks a standout tool. Pitchers exploited him on the inner half of the plate entering this season, so he adjusted his stance by standing up straighter, creating better balance in his swing that allowed him to reach inside pitches. He also simplified his approach, and instead of trying to pull everything out of the ballpark showed a willingness to take pitches to the opposite field. Ramsey is a solid defender with a strong arm and enough range for center field. The Cardinals gave him experience on the corners to improve his versatility and he got better at reading the ball off the bat over the course of the season. He's a good runner but stolen bases will never be a part of his game.