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

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Ben Brown talks TJ recovery, O'Hoppe, cancelled season

Image- MiLB.com Out of action since last May when it was determined he required Tommy John surgery, righty pitching prospect Ben Brown is using the downtime of the pandemic hiatus to continue his physical recovery.  A 33rd round draft selection of the Phillies back in 2017, Brown made his professional debut that same year, posting a 2.57 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 10 appearances in the rookie level Gulf Coast League.  The following season, Brown began to make a name for himself in the GCL, striking out 16 batters in one July appearance.  He would post a 3.12 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 10 games (eight starts) before earning a promotion and finishing the season with a pair of outings with Class A short-season Williamsport. Brown, a Long Island, NY native, opened last year with Class A Lakewood.  In four appearances with the BlueClaws, he struck out 20, walked four and allowed no runs in 13 2/3 innings and looked well on his way to making an impact on betting odds and available promo codes

2019 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #7 LHP JoJo Romero

JoJo Romero, image- Jay Floyd With a growing crop of very talented pitching prospects in the Phillies organization, left-hander JoJo Romero is certainly among the standouts. The five-foot-11 200-pounder was the Phils’ 4th round draft selection in 2016. That year he helped Yavapai College, the same school that the Phillies drafted Kenny Giles from in 2011, clinch the JuCo World Series, leading the way with an 11-5 record, a 3.64 ERA and a 10.2 K/9 mark. He also tossed a complete game gem to earn the win in their title game. After signing with the Phillies, Romero made his professional debut as a member of the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters. There, he notched a 2-2 record with a 2.56 ERA while striking out 31 and walking 11 in 45 2/3 innings. In 2017, he got off to a terrific start with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. In 13 starts, Romero tallied a 5-1 record with a 2.11 ERA and a 9.3 K/9 mark and was honored as a South Atlantic League mid-season All-Star. R

World Series Preview: Phillies vs. Astros

The Fall Classic is set to get underway on Friday with the Phillies opening on the road to take on the Astros in a best-of-seven series. This year marks 75 years since the first time a World Series was televised and this year each game will be broadcast on the FOX television network.  ESPN will have the radio broadcast and that feed can be streamed by using this link . Game 1 Friday, 8:03pm Eastern....in Houston.  RHP Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75 ERA).  In 16 road starts during the regular season this year, Nola notched a 5-9 record with a 3.00 ERA.  Nola has struck out 18 and walked three in 17 1/3 innings pitched this postseason.  Earlier this month, Nola tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Houston.  In 15 home starts during the regular season, Verlander sported a 10-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.  Verlander has a 5.68 ERA and has not recorded a win in seven career World Series starts.  Verlander has 11 starts allowing one run or fewer in