Edwar Ramírez
Encyclopedia
Edwar Emilio Ramírez is a Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
who is currently a free agent.
system from - when he was released without advancing past the Single A level. He did not play professional baseball in .
In early he was re-signed by the Angels, but he was quickly released by the club for the second time in his short career after playing in one game for the AAA affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees
.
and the Edinburg Coyotes
in and before signing with the Yankees on July 9, 2006.
In 43 games with Pensacola, Ramírez had a 1.45 ERA
, struck out 93 batters and walked only 15 and finished with a record of 2-2 with 11 saves over 62 innings of work. With Edinburg, he threw 25.1 innings of relief over 25 games, finishing with a 1-1 record and 16 saves. He also had 46 strikeouts, 10 walks and a 1.07 ERA.
purchased Ramírez from the United League for $1,500 to $3,000. Ramírez pitched for the Single A Tampa Yankees
for the remainder of the 2006 season. He pitched 32.2 innings, compiled a record of 4-1, an ERA of 1.17 and struck out 47.
He began the season with the Yankees' AA affiliate, the Trenton Thunder
. In 9 relief appearances he had a record of 3-0 and 1 save, and allowed only 1 run in 16.2 innings, for an ERA of 0.54. He compiled 33 strikeouts and 8 walks. He was promoted to the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, where he pitched 26.2 innings of relief in 15 games, allowing only 2 runs over that span (0.67 ERA). He tallied 47 strikeouts and 9 walks in that time.
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Ramírez was called up to the Major League club for the first time on July 1, 2007. He remained with the club for nearly three weeks, and was optioned back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on July 21.
In his major league debut on July 3, 2007, against the Minnesota Twins
, Ramírez pitched the ninth inning for the Yankees and struck out all three batters he faced, including reigning AL MVP Justin Morneau
, securing an 8-0 win for the Yankees. The last Yankee to strike out the side in his debut was Stan Bahnsen
in 1966. On July 6, against the Angels, he gave up 1 run on 2 hits in 1.1 innings; as the pitcher of record, he was awarded his first career win in the 14-9 Yankees victory. In his final relief appearance in his first stint with the major league club, he faced the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
on July 20 he walked four and gave up a grand slam
to Dioner Navarro
without recording an out, with only 2 of his 19 pitches resulting in strikes. After the game, he was so shaken by his performance that he had to cut short his comments to reporters, and was seen crying at his locker. He was optioned back to AAA the following day.
In his first appearance following his demotion, Ramírez picked up where he left off, striking out two in hitless innings, helping Joba Chamberlain
hold onto his first career Triple A victory.
On August 15, Ramírez was recalled by the Yankees, striking out three Baltimore Orioles
in 2.1 scoreless innings in his return. On August 19, 2007 Ramírez earned his first Major League save against the Detroit Tigers
with two hitless innings, striking out the side in the 8th. On October 10, 2007, Ramírez was named the Minor League Baseball Reliever of the Year.
On April 18, 2008 he was recalled from AAA and was sent down a day later. He was called up again on April 29, 2008. He did not give up a run at any level of baseball through May 31.
Yankees closer Mariano Rivera
took Ramírez and fellow reliever José Veras
under his wing, mentoring the two in the Yankee bullpen during games.
On May 19, 2009, Ramírez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room on the roster for pitcher Brian Bruney
.
To make room for newly signed pitcher Chan Ho Park, Ramírez was designated for assignment by the Yankees on February 28, 2010.
for cash considerations.
On March 24, 2010, Ramírez was traded to the Athletics for Gregorio Petit
. He was designated for assignment on May 15, and outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento
on May 21.
with slight lateral movement. His primary strikeout pitch is a low 80s circle changeup
that has similar movement to a palmball
, and is particularly effective against left-handed batters. He taught himself the change-up during his year-long hiatus from professional baseball in . He has recently developed a low 80s slider into his repertoire.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
who is currently a free agent.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: 2002–2005
Ramírez was in the Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
system from - when he was released without advancing past the Single A level. He did not play professional baseball in .
In early he was re-signed by the Angels, but he was quickly released by the club for the second time in his short career after playing in one game for the AAA affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees
Salt Lake Bees
The Salt Lake Bees are a Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bees serve as the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They play their home games at Spring Mobile Ballpark, known to fans as the Apiary, which was...
.
Independent Leagues: 2005–2006
Ramírez played Independent baseball for the Pensacola PelicansPensacola Pelicans
The Pensacola Pelicans were a minor league baseball team based in Pensacola, Florida. In various incarnations, they played in three different independent baseball leagues from 2002–2010...
and the Edinburg Coyotes
Edinburg Coyotes
The Edinburg Roadrunners are a professional baseball team based in Edinburg, Texas, in the United States. The Roadrunners are a member of the Eastern Division in the North American League, an independent professional league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or Minor League...
in and before signing with the Yankees on July 9, 2006.
In 43 games with Pensacola, Ramírez had a 1.45 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, struck out 93 batters and walked only 15 and finished with a record of 2-2 with 11 saves over 62 innings of work. With Edinburg, he threw 25.1 innings of relief over 25 games, finishing with a 1-1 record and 16 saves. He also had 46 strikeouts, 10 walks and a 1.07 ERA.
New York Yankees: 2007–2009
Searching for a pitcher recently released by an MLB organization, Yankees professional scouting director Billy EpplerBilly Eppler
Billy Eppler is the director of professional scouting for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball.Eppler attended the University of Connecticut and pitched for the Connecticut Huskies baseball team, until an arm injury ended his playing career....
purchased Ramírez from the United League for $1,500 to $3,000. Ramírez pitched for the Single A Tampa Yankees
Tampa Yankees
The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Home games are played at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of...
for the remainder of the 2006 season. He pitched 32.2 innings, compiled a record of 4-1, an ERA of 1.17 and struck out 47.
He began the season with the Yankees' AA affiliate, the Trenton Thunder
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
. In 9 relief appearances he had a record of 3-0 and 1 save, and allowed only 1 run in 16.2 innings, for an ERA of 0.54. He compiled 33 strikeouts and 8 walks. He was promoted to the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, where he pitched 26.2 innings of relief in 15 games, allowing only 2 runs over that span (0.67 ERA). He tallied 47 strikeouts and 9 walks in that time.
In his major league debut on July 3, 2007, against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, Ramírez pitched the ninth inning for the Yankees and struck out all three batters he faced, including reigning AL MVP Justin Morneau
Justin Morneau
Justin Ernest George Morneau is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Minnesota Twins. At 6 feet 4 inches and 225 lbs, Morneau was originally drafted as a catcher by the Twins in 1999. He converted to first base in the minor leagues and made his MLB debut in 2003...
, securing an 8-0 win for the Yankees. The last Yankee to strike out the side in his debut was Stan Bahnsen
Stan Bahnsen
Stanley Raymond Bahnsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Nicknamed the "Bahnsen Burner," he once made 118 starts over a three year stretch while playing with the Chicago White Sox in the mid 1970s.-New York Yankees:...
in 1966. On July 6, against the Angels, he gave up 1 run on 2 hits in 1.1 innings; as the pitcher of record, he was awarded his first career win in the 14-9 Yankees victory. In his final relief appearance in his first stint with the major league club, he faced the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
on July 20 he walked four and gave up a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
to Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
without recording an out, with only 2 of his 19 pitches resulting in strikes. After the game, he was so shaken by his performance that he had to cut short his comments to reporters, and was seen crying at his locker. He was optioned back to AAA the following day.
In his first appearance following his demotion, Ramírez picked up where he left off, striking out two in hitless innings, helping Joba Chamberlain
Joba Chamberlain
Justin Louis "Joba" Chamberlain is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early life:Chamberlain was born and grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. Chamberlain's parents, Harlan Chamberlain and Jackie Standley, were never married and split up when Joba was 18 months old...
hold onto his first career Triple A victory.
On August 15, Ramírez was recalled by the Yankees, striking out three Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in 2.1 scoreless innings in his return. On August 19, 2007 Ramírez earned his first Major League save against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
with two hitless innings, striking out the side in the 8th. On October 10, 2007, Ramírez was named the Minor League Baseball Reliever of the Year.
On April 18, 2008 he was recalled from AAA and was sent down a day later. He was called up again on April 29, 2008. He did not give up a run at any level of baseball through May 31.
Yankees closer Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
took Ramírez and fellow reliever José Veras
Jose Veras
José Enger Veras Romero is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Playing career:Veras was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in . He rose through the Tampa Bay minor league system, mostly as a starter. Veras struggled when he reached AAA,...
under his wing, mentoring the two in the Yankee bullpen during games.
On May 19, 2009, Ramírez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room on the roster for pitcher Brian Bruney
Brian Bruney
Brian Anthony Bruney is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, and Chicago White Sox....
.
To make room for newly signed pitcher Chan Ho Park, Ramírez was designated for assignment by the Yankees on February 28, 2010.
Texas Rangers/Oakland Athletics: 2010
On March 9, 2010, Ramírez was traded to the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for cash considerations.
On March 24, 2010, Ramírez was traded to the Athletics for Gregorio Petit
Gregorio Petit
Gregorio Jesus Petit is a Major League Baseball infielder.-Baseball career:He made his Major League debut on May 18, . He appeared in 14 games during the 2008 season while splitting time between second base and shortstop. For the 2009 season, he played in 11, splitting second and third...
. He was designated for assignment on May 15, and outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento
Sacramento River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats is a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics....
on May 21.
Pitching style
Ramírez primarily throws a 89-91 MPH fastballFastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
with slight lateral movement. His primary strikeout pitch is a low 80s circle changeup
Circle changeup
In baseball, a circle changeup is a pitch thrown with a grip that includes a circle formation, hence the name. The circle is formed by making a circle with the index finger, holding the thumb at the bottom of the ball parallel to the middle finger and holding the ball far out in the hand...
that has similar movement to a palmball
Palmball
In baseball, the palmball pitch is a type of changeup. It requires placing the baseball tightly in the palm or held between the thumb and ring finger and then throwing it as if throwing a fastball...
, and is particularly effective against left-handed batters. He taught himself the change-up during his year-long hiatus from professional baseball in . He has recently developed a low 80s slider into his repertoire.
External links
- Edwar Ramírez at Rotoworld.com