Skip to main content

Prospect Nation 2012: #20 RHP J.C. Ramirez

For more than two years, righty hurler J.C. Ramirez has been primed to become an impact prospect in the Phillies system, but inconsistency seems to be preventing the Nicaragua native from truly proving himself as a dependable talent.

Last season, Ramirez spent the entire season in the Double-A Reading Phillies’ starting rotation, where he got off to a scorching hot start in April, going 4-0 with a 1.03 ERA and a .187 batting average against in 4 starts, but his output fizzled quite a bit after that. Ramirez posted an overall record of 11-13, an ERA of 4.50 and .258 batting average against in 26 starts for the R-Phils. After the All-Star break, Ramirez struggled considerably, tallying a 5.92 ERA and a .305 BAA in 10 outings.

It’s possible the 23-year-old experienced fatigue, after he was initially thought to be fully recovered from off-season hip surgery. The wear and tear was rumored to have resulted in nagging discomfort that Ramirez decided to play through.

Regularly praised for his “stuff” by coaches, Ramirez rolls easily when things are going good, but he virtually crumbles when things don't go his way. Often open about his own lack of confidence in his pitches after rough outings, the 6-foot-3-inch 225-pounder's mental toughness is likely the quality most in need of development. The key is often for Ramirez to keep his pitches down in the zone. He runs into trouble when he fails to locate properly and then it snowballs from there.

With a two-seam fastball that steadily reaches the mid-90's, a slider with excellent control, and a change up that he uses to keep opposing batters honest, Ramirez has tools that continue to impress at times. After focusing on using his change up more in 2010, Ramirez worked on maintaining a steady release point with his slider in 2011.

After joining the Phillies, along with Phillippe Aumont and Tyson Gillies as part of the Cliff Lee to Seattle trade, Ramirez posted a 7-7 record and a 4.82 ERA combined over 24 starts with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers and the R-Phils in 2010.

Ramirez, the product of a Cuban father and a Nicaraguan mother, says that he loves being able to learn from so many of the Phillies' highly regarded major league players. During spring training last year, Ramirez spent time with the big club and was able to talk pitching with Cliff Lee, the man he was once traded for, as well as Jose Contreras, who coached the youngster a bit. He was also able to bond closely with Chase Utley, who once had similar surgery to repair torn hip cartilage.

A year ago, it looked like Ramirez was on the fast track toward the big leagues. These days, it is clear that Ramirez needs a considerable amount of seasoning before he'll reach the big time. 2012 presents a great challenge for Ramirez to see if he can display a reliable steadiness that will help him climb the developmental ladder.

______________________________________________

This countdown is being published in conjunction with PhilliesNation.com. Click here for the index page for this countdown.

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...

5th spot, Wall, Old timers, Links

The race for the Phillies' fifth starter spot is still on. While it's not fully fair to compare Grapefruit League stats, when some of the pitchers have had "B game" and scrimmage outings mixed in, Kyle Kendrick and Carlos Carrasco look to be falling behind Chan Ho Park and "Jay" Happ. Happ added to his solid Grapefruit League stats (2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP in 4 games) today against the Rays. Pitching coach Rich Dubee had been displeased with Kendrick even before he surrendered 8 earned runs in 3 innings of work yesterday against the Braves. Park has been working on improving his change up, with (Coach) Jamie Moyer. Park noticed Moyer's location control on his change, so he sought out Moyer to teach him the grip and positioning of the ball. Moyer, of course, feels good about helping anyone on the Phils' staff. Park has been coached by greats like Nolan Ryan with the Rangers and Sandy Koufax with the Dodgers, so Moyer is in great company. Park is working h...

Yankees Fans Misled By Pepsi Promotion

**** Today, New York Yankees fans attended a Pepsi promotion in Times Square hoping for chances to win opening day tickets to the new stadium, but the tickets, which were difficult to track down due to poor organization on Pepsi's part, were actually for a game in June. Furthermore, the 250 pairs that were promised were actually only 100 pairs. The fans, who were made to sprint through traffic over multiple city blocks when locations for the promotion changed, quickly turned against the soda brand by pooring out their beverages and chanting anti-Pepsi phrases. Yankees fans are even threatening a boycott of Pepsi. An appearance by Yankee great Goose Gossage could not even settle the angry mob, as he had to be whisked away, as a precaution, according to the Daily News . Ooo , I'd hate to see what "the worst fans in sports" (Philadelphia fans) would have done to their free Pepsi cans and beloved reliever in that situation. Because this happened in a non-Philly city, th...