Not too long ago, outfielder Alex Ramírez was regarded as a top-100 prospect in all of baseball. However, after a subpar 2023, he dropped out of the top 100 and down the organization top-30 list. If the beginning of 2024 is any indication, however, he may well be on his way back up those rankings.
Ramírez was signed by the Mets as an international free agent in 2019 and was quickly regarded as a top prospect in the system. The now 21-year-old had a breakout 2022 season with Low-A St. Lucie where he posted a .802 OPS. He finished the season with High-A Brooklyn (.757 OPS across 227 at-bats), which is where he began the 2023 season.
As mentioned, the 2023 season is why a once thought of top prospect fell down several different organizational ranking lists. Ramírez failed to get his footing and finished the season with a .221 batting average and .627 OPS. His 78 wRC+ was the lowest of his short professional career and his ISO (isolated power metric) of only .096 showed his power disappeared. There was a lot of concern and questions surrounding the right-hitting outfielder entering the 2024 season.
Luckily, after starting strong in spring training with the big club (.308 batting average across 13 at-bats), Ramírez has been lighting it up for Double-A Binghamton. In his toughest test of competition (first time at the Double-A level) up to this point, he is passing, early on, with fly colors.
Across 70 at-bats, Ramírez is slashing .343/.405/.500, which is good for a .905 OPS. Of his 24 hits, eight are extra-base (six doubles, one triple, and one home run). Additionally, he has already stolen 11 bases already.
In his most recent game on Saturday, a 13-8 Binghamton win, Ramírez had two hits, a walk, and two runs batted. It is extremely early, however, if this trend is able to continue, maybe the once top-100 prospect will find himself right back near the top of the best prospects in the Mets’ organization.
