Alexei Ramirez

by cool hand Charlie on Sep 2, 2008 3:03 PM EDT Comment 22 comments

What's up with this guy? He has 15 homers in under 400 AB's. He is hitting .300. He wasn't in John's prospect book this year. Will he be able to keep this up in future years? He looks very skinny for his listed 6'3'' 185. Any info on how this guy slid under the radar(Cuba?) and popped into the majors to hit .300 would be greatly appreciated. Future projections/comps are also quite welcome. Thanks guys. Chuck

0 recs | Comment 22 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Response

He was a Cuban defector, yes.

Swings at EVERYTHING . . .but great tools.

by mrkupe on Sep 2, 2008 3:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought at the time

It was a brilliant signing by Kenny Williams, and I generally don’t like Kenny Williams. But he made a smart move here.

I’ve heard people project him like Alfonso Soriano, but I have no idea if that’s accurate or not.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Sep 2, 2008 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Seems like a very good comparison. They have similar frames and similar skill sets.

Ramirez doesn’t steal anywhere near the bases Soriano does and probably has slightly less power, but I expect a higher batting average (which is important because the dude never walks.)

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Sep 2, 2008 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i would go with this

body type is similar, swing/approach is similar it seems too.

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Sep 2, 2008 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

similar but

I don’t think Ramirez has Soriano’s power. I mean, Soriano’s power is just off the charts.

by mraver on Sep 3, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Comp

I have heard that he is very similar to a lesser version of Soriano as well. Watching him play I would have to agree with that comparison.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Sep 2, 2008 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Odds are long that he'll be Soriano

Soriano has managed to overcome serious holes in his game to become a very good player. Ramirez has a nice average and homer total, but he’s an atrocious defender in the middle infield, and his plate discipline is really terrible. He’s clearly talented, but he’s very raw and he’s already 26. By the time Soriano was 26, he was already putting up a 247 ISO over a full season in the majors.

by aap212 on Sep 2, 2008 5:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Apparently the White Sox disagree with you on his "atrocious" defense

since they’re trying to move him to shortstop.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Sep 2, 2008 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good for them

Apparently they also disagree with every metric and scouting report I’ve seen. A few web gems do not make a good defensive player.

by aap212 on Sep 2, 2008 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Center

Even if he can’t stick in the middle infield, he probably has a better chance of playing a decent center field. A big part of the weakness in Sori’s defense has always been that he’s got a lot of Manny in him and just doesn’t care. Ramirez seems to have a pretty good work ethic, from what I hear.

by Fanon on Sep 2, 2008 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Atrocious defender? What have you been watching?

Have you watched any Sox games this year? Understand one thing…. the Sox put this guy at 2b because they didn’t have any options (Juan Uribe doesn’t count). He has NEVER played 2b in his life, and he has done an outstanding job there. I agree that webgems don’t make a solid defender, but he has only committed 9 errors had 2b this season, good for a FP of .979. Not too shabby. I would be willing to bet he’s made up for each of those 9 errors with his cannon arm turning double plays.

by throwingsmoke on Sep 3, 2008 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

FWIW, he’s put up a Rate of 84 and a RZR of 771, last among 2b qualifiers this season.

by 17843 on Sep 3, 2008 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And the same holds true in other metrics. Fielding percentage doesn’t tell you much—unless you’d rather have Mickey Morandini playing second base than Orlando Hudson.

by aap212 on Sep 3, 2008 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just watch a game.....

I dare people to watch a Sox game with Ramirez at 2b. He has shown over the year that he is a serviceable to above average defender at a position he has never played. His turn at second is second to none. He has a cannon arm, and gets rid of the ball in a hurry…
I’m not sayin the guy deserves a Gold Glove, but his D is much better than people give him credit for.
BTW…all talk is for Ramirez to move to his natural position, SS, next year. O Cabrera will be let go.

by throwingsmoke on Sep 3, 2008 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i was at a game

His instincts looked like crap to me. Mitch Maier ran out a pretty routine ground ball to him (he was at SS, blowout game so they moved him), and Maier isn’t exactly a burner.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Sep 4, 2008 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

my previous post

i reviewed him not too long ago….he’s extremely slender, but lots of room to add to his frame….he has a very awkward running style, but seems to really cut bases well while running, which may mean he won’t steal many bases, but he’ll end up with more triples than he should based on pure speed….he does swing at a ton, but honestly, i’ve never seen him swing at something i hadn’t seen him hit another time….the other comp i’ve heard is a young vlad, which i could completely see as he fills out….

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.

by biggentleben on Sep 2, 2008 11:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

An All-Star in a couple of years

He has all the tools to be a Middle Infield All-star…especially in the American League. He hits for average and his power has developed as the season has gone on. Remember, he never played outside of the Cuban League, which most people compare to a High A type of talent level. To be thrust into a new position (2b), the Majors, and a pennant race all at once and produce the way he has shows that the sky is the limit for this guy. Sure he has some faults. He is very fast (hence the nickname Cuban Missle), but doesn’t steal many bases. He doesn’t walk much either. Other than that, he is the real deal.

by throwingsmoke on Sep 3, 2008 12:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Best. Nickname. Ever.

by GuyinNY on Sep 3, 2008 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Soriano?!

wow, when i asked for a comp, i didnt expect to hear comparisons to a 40/40 player. You guys don’t expect a regression next year after teams adjust to his free swinging style? I saw the Vlad comp, but man thats a tough one for me to swallow. Vlad had a similar season to Alexei in 97. But then jumped from 11 homers in 97 to 38 homers in 98. I do not see that type of jump in Alexei. Soriano also had a simiar season to Alex in 2001 with 18 homers, but in 2002 he jumped to 39 homers. Do you guys really expect this type of power spike from Alexei? Do you guys really see him having THAT tpye of power potential?

Go Pirates!!!

by cool hand Charlie on Sep 3, 2008 10:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Soriano

I have heard a cheap man’s Soriano. I definitely expect his average to slide a bit as he has shown an inability to walk and isn’t likely to improve too much due to his age. People need to remember that Ramirez isn’t a young prospect and what we are seeing is likely what we will get. I personally see him hitting between .270-.310 with 15-20 HR at the most.

As for the Vlad comp well that is just silly.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Sep 3, 2008 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Juan Samuel?

I think this might be a better comp.

by aap212 on Sep 3, 2008 1:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Speed

Samuel was much faster. I do think it isn’t a bad comp but it appears that Ramirez will hit for better average with less speed. Power looks similar though.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Sep 3, 2008 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs