Author Topic: Follow the Prospects: Rafael Ramirez Jr, SS  (Read 429 times)

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Offline nobleisthyname

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Follow the Prospects: Rafael Ramirez Jr, SS
« on: July 31, 2024, 08:24:37 pm »
Rafael Ramirez Jr.
Born 7/22/2005 in Paterson, NJ
6'0 159
B/T: L/R
Signed with the Cleveland Guardians in 2022
Acquired by the Nationals in July 2024 for Lane Thomas

https://www.milb.com/player/rafael-ramirez-jr-800201

MLB.com Scouting report:
Quote
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

The son of the former All-Star shortstop of the same name, Ramirez was born in New Jersey but grew up in the Dominican Republic. He signed with the Guardians for $800,000 in 2022 and is one of the more physical middle-infield prospects in the system. He made his U.S. debut last summer in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, where he ranked second in walks (50) and seventh in on-base percentage (.453). He was off to a slow run with Single-A Lynchburg to begin his age-18 season when Cleveland dealt him and two other youngsters to Washington for Lane Thomas.

At least 15 pounds heavier than his listed 159, Ramirez has the developing strength and the bat speed to produce 15-20 homers per season. He already displays the aptitude for turning on pitches and launching them in the air. He'll need to make more consistent contact after logging a 28 percent strikeout rate in the ACL, but he has the sound left-handed stroke and bat-to-ball skills to do so once he refines his approach.

Like many sons of former big leaguers, Ramirez has a high baseball IQ. He's an average runner who gets the most out of his speed on the bases. He exhibits quick hands and solid arm strength at shortstop, though he may slow a bit as he matures physically and wind up at second or third base.

He's been assigned to Fredericksburg.

Offline imref

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Rafael Ramirez Jr, SS
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2024, 11:21:16 pm »
Thanks Noble!

Offline nobleisthyname

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Rafael Ramirez Jr, SS
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2024, 04:35:49 pm »
Age: 19
Team rank: 23
Current level: A

July recap

PA|AVG|OBP|SLG|HR|SB|K%|BB%|ISO|OPS|wRC+
66|.189|.318|.264|1|3|34.8%|16.7%|.075|.582|83

Year-to-date
Games played at position
SS: 29
3B: 12
2B: 10
DH: 4

PA|AVG|OBP|SLG|HR|SB|K%|BB%|ISO|OPS|wRC+
220|.188|.300|.317|4|7|33.6%|13.6%|.129|.617|87

Offline Elvir Ovcina

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Rafael Ramirez Jr, SS
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2024, 07:46:32 pm »
I like this guy a lot more after having seen him in person, which I did today. 

He played 2B and looked comfortable there, although he just needs more reps.  Couldn't judge him off SS other than "yes, I could believe that dude could also possibly play SS."  No red flags, in other words.

At the plate, approach was okay, decent swing plane leading to decent results.  The ball got to the good part of the bat in 3/4 ABs (1 K) despite going 0-4, and he's got pretty good ability to get his hands to the right place.  He's definitely got some physical projection and that could really, really make a difference.  A little bit more strength throughout his body and he'd likely have been 2-4 with a homer. 

He's still very young for level and needs to hit the weights (and especially not skip legs day), but I can see why they traded for him.  Easily the most promising IF on the FredNats roster right now, although he needs to repeat the level for at least half of last year.  But 15-20 pounds of muscle could really help this guy.

Offline Natsinpwc

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Rafael Ramirez Jr, SS
« Reply #4 on: August 04, 2024, 07:53:10 pm »
I like this guy a lot more after having seen him in person, which I did today. 

He played 2B and looked comfortable there, although he just needs more reps.  Couldn't judge him off SS other than "yes, I could believe that dude could also possibly play SS."  No red flags, in other words.

At the plate, approach was okay, decent swing plane leading to decent results.  The ball got to the good part of the bat in 3/4 ABs (1 K) despite going 0-4, and he's got pretty good ability to get his hands to the right place.  He's definitely got some physical projection and that could really, really make a difference.  A little bit more strength throughout his body and he'd likely have been 2-4 with a homer. 

He's still very young for level and needs to hit the weights (and especially not skip legs day), but I can see why they traded for him.  Easily the most promising IF on the FredNats roster right now, although he needs to repeat the level for at least half of last year.  But 15-20 pounds of muscle could really help this guy.
Thanks for the in person update. Who is he playing for and where did you see?

Offline Elvir Ovcina

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Rafael Ramirez Jr, SS
« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2024, 08:03:46 pm »
Thanks for the in person update. Who is he playing for and where did you see?

Fredericksburg.  At Lynchburg today.

Offline Natsinpwc

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Rafael Ramirez Jr, SS
« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2024, 08:12:07 pm »
Fredericksburg.  At Lynchburg today.

Thanks.
I always wanted to go to a game in Salem but never worked out and now we don’t head down that way anymore.

Offline Elvir Ovcina

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Rafael Ramirez Jr, SS
« Reply #7 on: August 04, 2024, 08:16:24 pm »
Thanks.
I always wanted to go to a game in Salem but never worked out and now we don’t head down that way anymore.

I would have gone there instead of Lynchburg today if they were at home (it would have worked more easily with my travel plans).  Still haven't been.

Offline nobleisthyname

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Rafael Ramirez Jr, SS
« Reply #8 on: September 01, 2024, 01:54:55 pm »
Age: 19
Team rank: 20
Current level: A (on 7-day IL)

August recap

PA|AVG|OBP|SLG|HR|SB|K%|BB%|ISO|OPS|wRC+
58|.163|.293|.265|0|0|36.2%|15.5%|.102|.558|75

Year-to-date
Games played at position
SS: 29
2B: 24
3B: 12
DH: 6

PA|AVG|OBP|SLG|HR|SB|K%|BB%|ISO|OPS|wRC+
278|.183|.299|.306|4|7|34.2%|14.0%|.123|.605|85

Offline nobleisthyname

  • Posts: 3812
Re: Follow the Prospects: Rafael Ramirez Jr, SS
« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2024, 03:36:59 pm »
Age: 19
Team rank: 20
Current level: A

Season recap
Games played at position
SS: 29
2B: 24
3B: 12
DH: 6

PA|AVG|OBP|SLG|HR|SB|K%|BB%|ISO|OPS|wRC+
278|.183|.299|.306|4|7|34.2%|14.0%|.123|.605|85

Offline imref

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Rafael Ramirez Jr, SS
« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2025, 01:25:02 pm »
Camerato update:

Quote
SS Rafael Ramirez Jr. (No. 20)
Age: 19
Signing class: 2022, $800,000 (Guardians)
Major League ETA: 2027
Last season: Single-A Lynchburg, Single-A Fredericksburg (acquired from Cleveland in Lane Thomas trade)
2024 stats: 71 games, .183/.299/.306, .605 OPS, 13 doubles, 4 home runs, 23 RBIs, 7 steals
MLB Pipeline: “At least 15 pounds heavier than his listed 159, Ramirez has the developing strength and the bat speed to produce 15-20 homers per season. He already displays the aptitude for turning on pitches and launching them in the air. … Like many sons of former big leaguers, Ramirez has a high baseball IQ. He's an average runner who gets the most out of his speed on the bases.”