AJ Ramos

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Miami Marlins #14 prospect in 2013
  Ramos signed for $1,500 as a senior in 2009, a year after tearing an elbow ligament at Texas Tech. A starter in college, he has averaged 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings as a pro reliever and fanned the side on 13 pitches in his big league debut in September. The 5-foot-10 mighty mite shows no fear on the hill. Ramos used to try to simply throw his fastball past hitters but has learned to hit his spots. He'll mix in a cutter against lefthanders to keep them off the plate, then go back outside with his fastball, which sits at 92-95 mph and touches 97. He'll back-door his hard-breaking slider or bounce it for a swing and miss. He also throws a solid changeup with deceptive arm speed. Ramos' command with all of his pitches has improved significantly since he signed, though occasionally he'll struggle with his location, particularly with his fastball. He's constantly in attack mode and can get too amped up at times. Humble and hardworking, he pitches like he has something to prove every night. Ramos' September audition puts him in the mix for a set-up role going into spring training. He has the stuff to handle an eighth-inning role and eventually may work his way into closing games.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #20 prospect in 2012
  Ramos was Texas Tech's Friday-night starter until he tore an elbow ligament as a junior in 2008, requiring Tommy John surgery. He returned in time for the start of his senior season, reclaimed his spot at the front of the Red Raiders rotation and signed with the Marlins for $1,500 as a 21st-round pick. Immediately converted to a reliever after turning pro, he has fanned 12.6 batters per nine innings in three years in the minors. Ramos works mainly with a 91-94 mph fastball that touches 97 and a hard slider, and he'll also mix in an occasional changeup. He's a strike thrower but needs to improve his command within the zone. At 5-foot-10 he's on the short side, and at times he lacks plane on his fastball, which can flatten out. Ramos has tremendous strength in his legs, which helps him generate his velocity. He competes well, though at times can be too much of a perfectionist. After going to the Arizona Fall League in the offseason, he'll advance to Double-A and isn't far away from helping the big league club.