Ramon E Ramirez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Yankees #23 prospect in 2005
  Ramirez' career has taken plenty of turns, and it appears ready to take another one--to the bullpen. A former Rangers minor league outfielder, he spent four years out of baseball before resurfacing as a pitcher in Japan in 2002. The Yankees outbid the Phillies for his rights, sending $350,000 to the Hiroshima Carp and signing him for $175,000. After initially struggling in 2003, his power stuff and adjusted mechanics helped him to a short-but-tantalizing stretch in the upper minors. He began 2004 in Triple-A but struggled and was demoted to Double-A. Ramirez pitched better than his misleading ERA would indicate. He goes right after hitters with a 92-94 mph fastball and a hard curveball, and he throws a splitter he picked up in Japan. His curve is his best pitch, but he throws it too much. As with many short righthanders, his fastball tends to stay up in the strike zone. He doesn't change speeds well and is susceptible to home runs. The Yankees have decided to try moving him into middle relief in Triple-A this year, a role that seems better suited to his repertoire.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #5 prospect in 2004
  Released by the Rangers after one season as an outfielder in the Dominican Summer League, Ramirez signed with the Hiroshima Carp as a pitcher in 2002 but pitched just three innings in the Japanese majors. After he impressed Yankees scouts in winter ball, they outbid the Phillies by purchasing his rights from the Carp for $350,000. Ramirez signed for $175,000. He got better as the 2003 season went on, learning to mix his pitches and to work effectively behind in the count. His fastball maxes out at 95 mph and sits at 92-94, while his power curveball features hard downward bite and is his best pitch. Ramirez had Japanese-style mechanics with a hip-turn and hesitations, but pitching instructors Billy Connors and Greg Pavlick converted him to a more conventional over-the-top delivery. Ramirez led the Arizona Fall League with a 1.44 ERA, likely earning him a job in the Triple-A rotation. His stature and two power pitches might make him a candidate for short relief in the future.