Max Ramirez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	115
AVG	.217
OBP	.343
SLG	.357
HR	4

Full name Maximiliano Ramirez
Born 10/11/1984 in Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 06/22/2008

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Ramirez, who was traded from Atlanta to Cleveland for Bob Wickman in 2006 and shipped to Texas for Kenny Lofton in 2007, almost got dealt for the third time in December. The Rangers and Red Sox reached an agreement to swap Ramirez for Mike Lowell, but Texas cancelled the deal after discovering Lowell needed surgery on his right thumb. Against the Rangers' wishes, Ramirez opened 2009 by playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, where he got little playing time. His season was hampered by tendinitis in his left wrist and soreness in his right wrist. When completely healthy, Ramirez is a plus hitter who works the count and drives the ball to all fields. He has shown some of his above-average power potential in the Venezuela League over the last two winters, but he's still working to unlock his power. He has a big leg kick and a lot of hand movement in his setup, which can hinder his timing. He tended to be late on fastballs and out in front of breaking balls in 2009. He's a below-average defensive catcher with below-average arm strength. Though he's a fairly accurate thrower, he erased just 23 percent of basestealers last season. He's a well below-average runner. Texas wants Ramirez to take his defense more seriously and work harder on staying in shape. He has a chance to be an offensive catcher/first baseman/DH and his bat is ready for a big league role in 2010, though he may not get that opportunity with the Rangers.
Ramirez was traded from Atlanta to Cleveland for Bob Wickman in mid-2006, then shipped to Texas for Kenny Lofton a year later. He spent the first half of 2008 in a catcher/ DH platoon with Taylor Teagarden before getting his first big league callup when injuries hit the Rangers in late June. Ramirez is a gifted natural hitter who works the count and drives the ball to all fields. His setup has a lot of movement before he gets into hitting position, yet he commands the zone well and is a good two-strike hitter. For the first time in his career, he began unlocking his plus raw power in 2008. Scouts question whether Ramirez can stay behind the plate, where his arm is fringy, his release is slow, his hands are stiff and his agility is below-average. His well-below-average speed could sabotage his chances of being a .300 hitter in the majors. Ramirez played some first base in 2008 to improve his versatility, and his future might be as a first baseman/DH/fill-in catcher. Wherever he plays, Ramirez should hit enough to be a solid big league regular, perhaps as soon as 2009.
Ramirez has been moved prior to the trade deadline two years in a row, first going from the Braves to the Indians for Bob Wickman in 2006, then getting shipped to Texas for Kenny Lofton in 2007. He has hit since his first professional season in 2003, and he continued to do so in high Class A, along the way being voted by managers as the Carolina League player with the best plate discipline. Ramirez is a mature, gifted hitter who maintains his balance and bat control through his swing despite a high leg kick and a lot of hand movement in his trigger. He has good power to the gaps and occasional home run pop, and he could hit enough to play first base or left field if he has to move from behind the plate. He was signed as a third baseman and is still working to shore up his footwork and receiving behind the plate, but he has enough athleticism and arm strength to at least have a chance to catch in the majors. Texas put him on its 40-man roster in the offseason, and he figures to do the bulk of the catching at Double-A in 2008.
The Indians dealt Bob Wickman to the Braves for Ramirez in June, further improving their depth at catcher--though there are questions about his ability to stay behind the plate in the long term. Signed as a third baseman, Ramirez moved behind the plate in 2005, when he was named co-MVP in the Rookie-level Appalachian League. Though he has an average arm, he threw out just 28 percent of basestealers last year. Ramirez lacks quick feet, slowing down his release. He's a below-average receiver. He actually saw more time at DH than catcher in 2006, going behinid the plate for just 57 of his 117 games. Ramirez' bat will have to carry him. He has a line-drive stroke that produces gap power, and he uses the entire field well. He has above-average plate discipline and pitch recognition, and he does a good job of sitting back on breaking balls. Some club officials believe his ceiling could be as a utility player along the lines of Olmedo Saenz, with the ability to play both infield corners and serve as a third catcher.
Three seasons after signing as a 17-year-old third baseman out of Venezuela, Ramirez shared Appalachian League co-player-of-the-year honors with teammate Eric Campbell in 2005. Better yet, Ramirez has made a nice transition to catcher, which began the year before. He threw out 38 percent of basestealers though he lacks plus raw arm strength. His footwork improved over the course of the season, but he looked stiff behind the plate much of the time. Even so, the Braves like Ramirez' overall athleticism and how he handled the Danville pitching staff, traits that should lead to him becoming an above-average receiver down the road. Ramirez is more polished at the plate. He has an excellent eye, plus strength and good bat control, all of which enabled him to tie for the Appy League in hits. He'll be the starting catcher this year at Rome, where he'll work with some of the organization's most promising young pitchers.

Minor League Top Prospects

For the first time in three years, Ramirez didn't change organizations at the trade deadline. His hitting remained a constant, however, as he led the TL in on-base percentage (.450) and slugging (.646) before a promotion to the major leagues. He returned to the minors a month later, but his time with Frisco opened eyes. Ramirez works counts and drives the ball to all fields. He should produce for average and power, and his bat could carry him at a less challenging defensive position. It may have to, because questions linger about whether Ramirez can stick at catcher. A former third baseman, he has arm strength but hasn't had much success throwing out basestealers, erasing just 24 percent while giving up 52 swipes in 44 TL games. He's still learning the nuances of receiving and calling games.
Ramirez also was traded to the Rangers during the season, as the Indians used him to acquire Kenny Lofton one year after getting him from the Braves for Bob Wickman. A line-drive hitter with the ability to use the whole field, Ramirez wore out CL opponents with shots in the right-center gap. "He's a very mature hitter for his age, a very advanced approach," a scout from a National League club said. "Great two-strike approach. He shortens up well in those situations but also has some juice." Ramirez made it a point to become a better receiver and game-caller this season, but still only threw out 29 percent of would-be basestealers. There's still some concern that his defense may not be good enough to make him an everyday catcher in the majors. "The arm is average, and sometimes his lower half doesn't work well in getting balls out and down to second," the scout said. "After seeing him last year, no doubt he's improved, but the bat is still well ahead of his defense."
Ramirez batted cleanup behind Campbell and split the player-of-the-year award with him. Ramirez can't match Campbell's present pop, but he does have power potential, a better eye at the plate and better bat control. He tied Elizabethton's Juan Portes for the league lead in hits. "You could make a case for Ramirez as the best hitter in this league," Runge said. "He had a lot of quality at-bats for us, and his power really developed. He got better ever day." Ramirez' accomplishments are all the more impressive because he spent the summer learning a new position after moving from third base. He improved his footwork and receiving skills, but his defensive game needs work. Though he's serviceable now, his actions weren't smooth and he didn't get great carry on his throws. Still, he threw out 38 percent of basestealers and no one questioned his athleticism.