Goldstein on Neil Ramirez

by Brett Perryman on Jun 30, 2008 2:35 PM CDT Comment 77 comments

from his Monday Ten Pack today:

Neil Ramirez, RHP, Short-Season Spokane (Rangers)
The Rangers entered the year with one of the best minor league systems in the game, but it's perhaps even more impressive that so many of their top prospects have met and exceeded expectations. That makes it easy for a player like Ramirez to get lost in the shuffle, but that would be a mistake. A supplemental first-round pick last June, Ramirez wanted first-round money to sign, and the Rangers responded by happily handing him $1 million. Showing a 90-94 mph fastball, an outstanding hammer curve, and a developing changeup on Friday night, Ramirez fired six shutout innings while striking out seven and allowing only one hit. In his first three pro starts, he’s surrendered a whopping four hits in 14 innings, and is definitely one to watch.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7738

Good things.

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Comments

This JD guy is pretty good.

Dino Radja >>> Soft Nowitzki

by Longhorn on Jun 30, 2008 2:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Really?

Cause I’m pretty sure Nera didn’t do shit last year with JD in charge. In fact, he didn’t even pitch last year.

I think it’s pretty obvious Nolan deserves the lion’s share of the credit here. Nolan and his old school pitching-first philosophy took a guy who didn’t even pitch last year and turned him into a promising young pitching prospect.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jun 30, 2008 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions 5 recs

Also

What level is Ramirez at? A-ball?

Thanks.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 30, 2008 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A little too much.

by AirJordan on Jun 30, 2008 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

We should elect Nolan Ryan as President.

Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY

by RangerMad on Jun 30, 2008 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nolan threw some high heat at the front office

That’s why Ramirez is performing, dammit.

by Adam J. Morris on Jun 30, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Give this man a gold star

And send him to blog at the DMN.

Hard Drive Manufacturer Hires Barkley

by BudLight on Jun 30, 2008 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Nera

like that …

"Typical woman. 'Give me' 'Give me' 'Give me'

I’ll give ya something.

1. A backhand
2. A stuffing
3. $500 if you promise never to post here again"

~ The Immortal, BG

by Chase Irwin on Jun 30, 2008 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ramirez from where I live

Kempsville High School in Va Beach. Dominated as a junior and had some shoulder issues as a senior which caused his stock to drop. His not pitching last year in late summer was a precaution….and at this point a pretty good call. I’m a huge Ryan fan and think he’ll do great things for the Rangers but he’s had nothing to do with this kids development.

If you want some slack, bring your own rope.

by rangerfaninva on Jun 30, 2008 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just in case

you haven’t seen a ton here, the whole Ryan thing is a running joke.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 30, 2008 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

got it

a little slow on the uptake

If you want some slack, bring your own rope.

by rangerfaninva on Jun 30, 2008 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If that's what you think Nolan did, then that's what he thinks you should think he did,

noob.

Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .

by Brian Thomas on Jun 30, 2008 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lmao

"Typical woman. 'Give me' 'Give me' 'Give me'

I’ll give ya something.

1. A backhand
2. A stuffing
3. $500 if you promise never to post here again"

~ The Immortal, BG

by Chase Irwin on Jun 30, 2008 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rec

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jun 30, 2008 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cue Fake Jim Rome voice...

...”REC HIM!!!!!!!!”

Physician: Primum non nocere

Batter: First, make no out

by Chad Crudup on Jul 1, 2008 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

!!!

I like the sound of that.

Joe Morgan: (On Jay Bruce) I think he will. He brings energy to the team, and besides that, he is a pretty good hitter.
Ken Tremendous: I like that the #1 reason he will help his team is: "energy," and the distant #2 reason is: "ability to hit baseballs."

by TheBZA on Jun 30, 2008 2:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

JD and young pitchers

JD has developed much like a young pitcher..

He was probably called upon a little prematurely.. he struggled, took his lumps, but kept fighting, kept pitching inside, didn’t get gun shy, matured a little, and whazaam its all coming together to make a great one. The team stuck with him, they believed in him, and it is starting to pay off.

by tyd3311 on Jun 30, 2008 2:47 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs

Well put

by dieselT8 on Jun 30, 2008 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or

Ron Hopkins may be better at his job than some of Daniels’ major league advisors. At this point in time I’m not sure that any of his four drafts look too bad.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 30, 2008 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Touche.

by tyd3311 on Jun 30, 2008 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with this absolutely.

The drafts have been good and we’re doing a very good job of getting talented arms into the system. Whoever has been advising JD at the upper levels on whom to trade, etc. has been dropping the ball on their evaluations in my opinion. Otherwise, I think Danks is still a Ranger. That’s something that scares the hell out of me every time trading one of our upper-level pitchers is mentioned—especially Hurley.

by Athos on Jun 30, 2008 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's great to hear!

"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley

by Rodney on Jun 30, 2008 2:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ramirez

So whats his timeline like? With Main most likely being the next in line for Clinton is Ramirez behind him? I know this is his first official pro season but hes been in the organization long enough that he shouldn’t be too far behind Mina and Beavan, his draftmates

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jun 30, 2008 2:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

*Mina=Main

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jun 30, 2008 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My guess

is that he’s still a little more raw than the two first rounders. That doesn’t mean that he won’t be the best of the three though.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 30, 2008 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They could be our...

Penny (Beavan), Becket (Main), and Burnett (Ramirez).

by tyd3311 on Jun 30, 2008 3:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wasn't that what we were hoping

Danks, Diamond and Volquez would become??

"Well, the Dallas Mavericks got beat by the New Orleans Hornets last night ending their season. Word is that someone on the team is dating Jessica Simpson." - Jay Leno

by hinduplaya on Jun 30, 2008 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They..

might be on their way, just not together.

by tyd3311 on Jun 30, 2008 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

by Brett Perryman on Jun 30, 2008 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wehn you put it that way

Am I right in saying this
Volquez – Beckett : Ace
Danks – Penny : solid #2
Diamond – Burnett : Who knows? both had TJ surgery

"Well, the Dallas Mavericks got beat by the New Orleans Hornets last night ending their season. Word is that someone on the team is dating Jessica Simpson." - Jay Leno

by hinduplaya on Jun 30, 2008 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It appears that two of the three have.

It’s just that they’re doing so for other teams.

by Athos on Jun 30, 2008 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We will see about Diamond..

He is a year behind schedule.

by tyd3311 on Jun 30, 2008 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure about Diamond

he started getting off track pretty much immediately upon arriving at AA. Maybe that was when he hurt himself, I don’t know.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 30, 2008 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And

don’t forget Pavano. Maybe Hurley is that one.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 30, 2008 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh

I know you’re talking in terms of talent, but Pavano is the world’s biggest douche. It pains me to have my Hurley comped to him in any way shape or form.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jun 30, 2008 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that draft

at the time, we really needed it to restock our farm system and with all those high picks, people on this board were saying that it could define the franchise for years to come.

Beavan
Main
Borbon
N. Ramirez
Hunter
West
Reed

That is pretty impressive. Save West (who’s stock seems to have only tumbled because of the suspension and lingering doubts), that is a really really impressive haul. So far, so good.

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jun 30, 2008 3:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That is a money draft

by Agreen07 on Jun 30, 2008 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

not to mention we didnt even sign our 4th and 5th round draft picks, one of whom, gast, has a chance to be a similar type of pitcher.

by rchawk12 on Jun 30, 2008 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

we don’t get credit for drafting and not signing. in fact, it’s points off if there isn’t a good reason we couldn’t sign them.

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jun 30, 2008 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jun 30, 2008 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I give a pass on that

with the amount of picks and money it took to sign our top 5 picks I can excuse not signing our 4th and 5th rounders although in a perfect world we would have

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jun 30, 2008 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wasnt trying to give credit,

in fact quite the opposite. As soon as we drafted nash in the 4th round, it was reported he was a tough sign and wanted marcus lemon money to sign, i.e. min 1 million. I get taking a chance on gast since he was coming off a surgery I believe.

The fact of the matter is that with all of those high draft picks, they shouldnt have been taking chances on nash and to an extent gast. If they had done their homework they could have added even more prospects. Its not that big of a deal and it was a great draft so far, I was merely pointing the fact that we missed out on two high picks in addition to our great haul.

by rchawk12 on Jun 30, 2008 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would add Andrew Laughter

to that list, as he has risen quite quickly to AA Frisco and looks like a future member of our bullpen.

by clark on Jun 30, 2008 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good God

hard as I try to know all the names of these minor leaguers, I just can’t keep track of everyone.

by Salman on Jun 30, 2008 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great draft

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jun 30, 2008 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what does everyone think of Matt West and his potential......best case scenario??

i know his stock dropped, but still…let’s say he progresses as thought, what type of player could he become and numbers he could produce…

and plus, imagine that draft if we didn’t sign Cat…..damnit…..

by slash on Jul 1, 2008 5:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beltre

Side work seems to really be paying off. After his break, in the last three games he’s 7-12 with 2 BB and no strikeouts.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 30, 2008 9:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

rick adair to the rescue?

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jun 30, 2008 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he can do that for OFs...

that guy is worth his weight in Super Gold – which is like normal gold, only way more valuable.

by NoNameOnCard on Jul 1, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did not see

the 2 BB’s in three games coming.

Chris Davis is a beast.

by coolaid on Jun 30, 2008 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hell yeah baby

great time to be a Ranger fan

by slash on Jul 1, 2008 6:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ramirez...

needs to be in Clinton very soon.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jun 30, 2008 10:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Eric Fry is Krazy

Watch him celebrate the Indians’ 1-0 extra-inning victory the other night.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 1, 2008 1:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's safe to say he's emotionally invested.

Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jul 1, 2008 6:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

heh

Don’t hurt ‘em, big fella.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jul 1, 2008 6:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Weekend Smoak article

Smoak waits out contract negotiations here at home

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 1, 2008 2:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yet another Daily Oklahoman article

Davis off to a fast start with Rangers

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 1, 2008 2:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to see what Goldstein has to say about all of the teenage SP.

Boscan and Pimentel have been impressive as well.

I’m really glad to see the Rangers move the older pitchers up when they do well (like Kirkman this week) to make room for younger guys. Bleier is younger than Kirkman, so he counts as a younger guy, but, really, Bleier probably should be moved up soon as well. He’s had a fantastic start to his professional career. I just don’t know how the Rangers can accommodate Main and Bleier in the Clinton rotation, unless someone else gets demoted or DL’d.

Way down in the DSL, Juan Grullon and Borbosa may be the next 17-18 year olds to take the AZL by storm next year. They have some of the more impressive statistics of the DSL kids.

Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jul 1, 2008 6:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Envy

I think other teams envy our young pitching like I envy Portland with their young big men.

by tyd3311 on Jul 1, 2008 8:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Miguel De Los Santos

BA prospect blog sez he’s on the 7-day D.L. now along with Wilmer Font. Could mean we could see some Miggy rehab action before too long. I like Miggy.

Beau Jones’ last 12.2 IP – 0 ER’s, 7 hits, 1 BB, 15 K’s – heck, leave him in the friggin’ pen

From the highly speculative department: last night BAK gave up 12 runs on 13 hits and committed 7 errors. I wonder if there was a party night before last? Maybe to celebrate the imminent departure of a popular teammate?

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 1, 2008 11:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jones

I agree. He has a good arm, two good pitches, lefty, just leave him in the pen for now.

by Brett Perryman on Jul 1, 2008 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Jones has much better stats in the bullpen, so it is either a stuff issue or a comfort issue. If he can become a power lefty out of the bullpen, it will be great considering he was a last second throw in in the Tex trade.

by uthornfan on Jul 1, 2008 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

14th-rounder RHP Justin Gutsie

Now on the SPO roster.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

with that last name

are we sure buck didnt have some say in the draft?

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 1, 2008 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

good to see they are still trickling in

although i am curious as to why things are so quiet with Smoak.

by clark on Jul 1, 2008 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think

he and Ross will both be August 15 guys (along with Martinez who presumably won’t sign).

by Brett Perryman on Jul 1, 2008 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

FWIW - bigtime FWIW

I surfed a handful of UK baseball fan forums last night looking to see if anybody had any poop on Ross’ status. I found a post from June 19th claiming that Nolan Ryan enthusiastically backed the Ross pick declaring his bonus demands well worth meeting. Ross would sign with the Rangers without a doubt, it claimed, that’s how much Nolan likes Ross. Aug. 15th sounds about right if they’re paying above slot and want to assuage Bud’s wrath.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 1, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs