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| Edubray Ramos, image- Jay Floyd |
Equipped with a fastball that steadily ranges from 93 to 95 MPH, the promising reliever also has a standout breaking pitch described by battery mate Andrew Knapp as "a wipe out slider" that is a plus offering as his out pitch. He also tosses a curve ball to get ahead in the count at times along with a change up to keep batters honest.
Splitting his time rather evenly at three levels in 2014 after missing two seasons, Ramos tallied a 2-1 record with 10 saves, a 0.81 ERA and a .189 batting average against in 26 total games combined with the Phillies' Venezuelan Summer League team, the rookie level Gulf Coast League team and with the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters.
Lights out stats with Class A Advanced Clearwater had fans and media members clamoring for his promotion for much of the 2015 season and he made that happen, moving up and continuing to shine once he did.
At 22 years old, Ramos began the 2015 campaign with the Class A Advances Clearwater Threshers. Manning the back end of their bullpen, Ramos continued to notch great numbers, with a 3-4 record, eight saves, 1.46 ERA and a .180 BAA in 29 games.
With buzz starting to grow about the talented Venezuela native, he was promoted to Double-A Reading in early July. With the Fightins, Ramos sported a 1-2 record with a 3.54 ERA and a .233 BAA in 18 relief appearances.
The key to the success Ramos enjoyed last year was his ability to command the strike zone. Being able to throw first pitch strikes with ease gives him the advantage time and time again on the mound.
Ramos would participate in the Arizona Fall League after Reading's loss in the Eastern League Championship Series. Allowing eight earned runs in 9 2/3 innings (7.45 ERA) didn't prevent him from appearing in the league's "Fall Stars" game, in which he threw a scoreless inning, striking out two. In his regular season AFL appearances, he struck out 12 and walked none.
He also kept the rust off this off-season by appearing in three regular season contests with La Guaira, as a teammate of Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera, in the Venezuelan Winter League. He joined the team late in their season and appeared in three regular season contests (0 ER, 2K, 1BB, 2 2/3 IP) before helping the team in their postseason bid.
Wanting to protect Ramos, who is listed at six feet tall and 165 pounds, from the annual MLB Rule 5 draft, the Phillies added him to their 40-man roster this off-season.
Coaches like the composure that Ramos displays on the mound, expressing that he's able to prevent difficult spots or not getting an occasional call from impacting his frame of mind or his approach.
Expect the 23-year-old to open the season getting some save opportunities for Reading and possibly moving up by mid-season.
Follow this year's full prospect countdown by clicking this link.
