RHP Erasmo Ramirez

Position: RHP

Bat/Throw: R/R

Age: 29 (May 2, 1990)

Acquired: Signed a minor league deal with the Mets on January 26, 2020

Whereas many of the 15 non-roster invitees that will attend Mets spring training in the coming weeks have little or no major league experience, right-handed pitcher Erasmo Ramirez has plenty.

Ramirez began his major league career in 2012 for the Seattle Mariners and has had stints with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox. In 2019, Ramirez, 29, made just one appearance at the big-league level for Boston. He made 24 starts with their Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket, where he posted a 4.74 ERA with 6.8 K/9 against 3.1 BB/9. He elected to test the free-agent market at the end of the season when the New York Mets signed him to a minor league contract in January, 2020.

His best year in the majors was in 2015 when he pitched for the Rays. In the second half of the season he started a game against the Yankees and held them scoreless for 7.2 innings. He ended the year with a respectable 11-5 with a 3.75 ERA in 163​.1 innings pitched. He has shuttled between starting and relieving throughout his career and has most recently been used out of the bullpen.

Ramirez’s fastball tops out in the low-90s. He relies on his changeup and his cutter as his out pitches and tends to pitch to contact as he has never been known as a prolific strikeout pitcher although he does have 497 K’s in his major league career and a 7.0 K/9. His change has totaled 19.4 runs above average throughout his career. Ramirez has a 2.6 BB/9 over his eight years in the majors. He also keeps the ball in the yard as his 1.4 HR/9 illustrates.

Ramirez is a crafty pitcher in the mold of a Bartolo Colon, and even though he has not had success of Colon, has had shown some promise in his career. He switches up speeds and location and tries to keep hitters off-balance.

Key Numbers

Unfortunately, Ramirez has some weak numbers, especially recently. First his numbers in the international league: 125.1 innings pitched, 4.74 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 95:43 K:BB.

But in his last two years at the major league level, he has pitched only 48.2 innings and has a bloated 6.84 ERA.

Overall through eight seasons, he is 32-39 with a 4.40 ERA.

2020 Outlook

In a bullpen replete with depth pieces such as Michael Wacha, Stephen Gonsalves, Walker Lockett, Corey Oswalt among others, it’s hard to see Ramirez playing a key role in high leverage situations. He seems destined to mop-up roles particularly in long relief. He has shown the ability to get major league batters out, but has struggled as of late. Maybe the change in leagues will be a help as he has yet to pitch in the National League. Spring Training should help answer some questions about the suitability of Erasmo Ramirez for the Mets.