Neil Ramirez

Neil Ramirez is a return to the pitching overhaul. He's the fourth pick for the Rangers in the draft and the third pitcher. I AGREE with this draft thus far, even if the pitchers end out being a ***bust*** (which I hope and pray it will not be), at least the organization is addressing the issue at hand.

Name: Neil Ramirez
He's from Kempsville HS in Virginia Beach, VA. The youngest player selected by the Rangers thus far, he's born on May 25th, 1989, and throws right-handed. He was a starting pitcher in high school and stands at 6'3 and weighs in at 190 pounds.

Scouting Report: Ramirez entered his senior season ranked among the top prep pitchers in the country, but an up-and-down spring has depressed his draft stock. Last summer he ranked as the top prospect in the Cal Ripken Senior League, despite pitching against players that were as many as three years older. Most of his inconsistency this spring stemmed from mechanical flaws, though he also missed a week with a back injury. He has a drop-and-drive delivery and tends to rush to the plate, leaving his arm behind and causing his stuff to flatten out. His velocity has been anywhere from 88-96 mph. He'll flash an above-average curveball at 78 mph, but it gets loose and loopy at 71 mph as well. He has some feel for a changeup. He'll occasionally pitch to both sides of the plate with his fastball, while at other times work deep in counts. He could go as high as the supplemental round to a team that has seen him at his best and believes it can iron out the kinks.

Fastball: Ramirez was running his fastball up to 96 mph.

Curve: Ramirez threw his curve in the mid-to-upper 70s and it has the makings of a big league pitch.
Changeup: His changeup was in the upper 70s-low 80s. It's a work in progress but has the chance to be usable.

Control: His command is fringy-average right now with his secondary stuff, but showed above-average command with his fastball, which is important for a young pitcher.
Poise: Ramirez has a laid back demeanor on the mound, but gets fiery at times when the situation calls for it.
Physique: Ramirez has a terrific, projectable pitchers body.

Strengths & Weaknesses: Ramirez has a plus fastball with excellent command of the pitch. His secondary stuff lags behind the fastball. He doesn't command his curve or changeup consistently.

The weather forecast on him is "BLUE SKIES" baby. Ramirez is going to do well. He could also end up as trade-bate if Main doesn't get shipped elsewhere on down the road. I now recall how JD doesn't like to ship out great prospects, but somewhere down the line, the proverbial carrot is going to be dangled and a "Danks" trade is going to repeat itself. Thus far, the Danks trade is a bust. I would hope that the three pitchers selected today will be the next "DVD" trio within the next several years. Not likely, but it can happen. Ramirez has the physique that could land him a long career if he shoots up in the system quickly. Look for him in a Major League uniform in three years or so (maybe at the end of 2010).