Post by Rog on Feb 10, 2017 15:39:05 GMT -5
I admit it. I didn't know a thing about Neil Ramirez when the Giants signed him as a minor league free agent. And he had a really bad season in 2016 with not one but THREE different major league teams. And he gives up too many home runs. And he walks too many guys.
But there are a handful of reasons he just might make the Giants' bullpen:
. He's allowed just 6.9 hits per nine innings in his brief major league career. For a benchmark, Madison Bumgarner has allowed 7.8.
. He has struck out 10.1 batters per nine innings, and despite his troubles in 2016, fanned 12.5. Madison has struck out 8.9.
. He has a career ERA of 3.09.
. He's only 27 years old.
. He's pitched well enough to be anywhere from a ROOGY to a set up man. He posted a 1.44 ERA as a rookie in 2014, but he suffered a shoulder injury that affected both his 2015 and 2016 season.
A first round pick (#44 overall) in 2007, Ramirez is just the type of minor league contract guy (low risk/medium reward) we'd like to see the Giants sign. He actually saved three games in 2014. My guess is that he'll begin the season in Sacramento, but will pitch for the Giants at some point during the upcoming season.
He's done it before. Can he do it again? I think it's worth the time to see.
But there are a handful of reasons he just might make the Giants' bullpen:
. He's allowed just 6.9 hits per nine innings in his brief major league career. For a benchmark, Madison Bumgarner has allowed 7.8.
. He has struck out 10.1 batters per nine innings, and despite his troubles in 2016, fanned 12.5. Madison has struck out 8.9.
. He has a career ERA of 3.09.
. He's only 27 years old.
. He's pitched well enough to be anywhere from a ROOGY to a set up man. He posted a 1.44 ERA as a rookie in 2014, but he suffered a shoulder injury that affected both his 2015 and 2016 season.
A first round pick (#44 overall) in 2007, Ramirez is just the type of minor league contract guy (low risk/medium reward) we'd like to see the Giants sign. He actually saved three games in 2014. My guess is that he'll begin the season in Sacramento, but will pitch for the Giants at some point during the upcoming season.
He's done it before. Can he do it again? I think it's worth the time to see.