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Date of Birth: January 21, 1990 (Aged 21) in the Dominican Republic
Height/Weight: 6"1', 155-160 pounds
Position: RHP
The New York Yankees signed Jose Ramirez back in June of 2007 as a standard prospect. In 2008, he spent the year in the Dominican Summer League, posting a fairly decent 4.15 ERA in 39 innings of work. 2009 was the first time he saw the United States where he was given the opportunity to pitch in the Gulf Coast League. I've read that he had time to develop two of his three pitches in the GCL, his fastball and changeup, while still struggling to take full command of his curveball. Pitching with the Charleston RiverDogs last season, he had an overall strong campaign. He has a solid K/BB ratio and only gave up three homers in 115 innings pitched. Strikeouts and hits were nearly identical, too. His total statistics can be found directly under this, courtesy of baseball-reference.
Year
Age
Lev
W
L
G
IP
H
ER
HR
BB
SO
2008
18
FRk
0
3
4.15
12
39.0
35
18
2
18
39
1.359
8.1
0.5
4.2
9.0
2009
19
Rk-A+
6
0
1.41
12
64.0
34
10
5
16
55
0.781
4.8
0.7
2.2
7.7
2009
19
Rk
6
0
1.48
11
61.0
33
10
5
16
53
0.803
4.9
0.7
2.4
7.8
2009
19
A+
0
0
0.00
1
3.0
1
0
0
0
2
0.333
3.0
0.0
0.0
6.0
2010
20
A
6
5
3.60
22
115.0
106
46
3
42
105
1.287
8.3
0.2
3.3
8.2
3 Seasons
12
8
3.06
46
218.0
175
74
10
76
199
1.151
7.2
0.4
3.1
8.2
Scouting report: As I mentioned earlier, Ramirez is a three-pitch guy at this point: fastball, changeup and curveball. His fastball ranges between 92-96 mph and he can counter that with a tremendous changeup that comes in high 70s or low 80s. This will be especially effective if his fastball is in the upper 90s, obviously. Multiple scouting reports have concluded that his curveball will make him a potential big league pitcher. He showed some promise last year flashing the curve and his SO/9 rate grew. Consistency will be key here with the curve.
ETA to Yankees: I'd venture to say he'll be in the minor leagues for another three years. He'll probably work his way through high-A Tampa ball this year, Trenton in 2012 and Scranton-Wilkes in 2013. 2013 could be a call-up year if he continues to rise toward the top of the organization. As for now, he'll work on the curveball and refine his mechanics to make him more suited for higher leagues... just like all young pitchers aim to do. We'll be sure to keep an eye on him.
Come back Wednesday with FrankieCamp's prospect no. 14!