What to expect from Yefrey Ramirez

After Dario Agrazal’s major league debut in Miami on Saturday, he was sent back to Triple-A Indianapolis, his spot on the roster taken by another newcomer, 25 year old right-hander Yefrey Ramirez.

Ramirez, who will likely work from the bullpen over the next week or so, does have major league experience, debuting with the Orioles last year, but it did not go well.

The 6-2, 215 pound Ramirez was originally signed by the Diamondbacks in 2012, but after three seasons on Rookie ball was selected by the Yankees in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft.

He reached Double-A a year later, but on Aug 1, 2017 was sent to the Orioles for Cash Considerations. With a 3.47 ERA in 24 starts between Trenton and Bowie, Ramirez was promoted in 2018 to Triple-A, where he had a 3.88 ERA in 14 starts, thus earning another promotion to Camden Yards.

In 12 starts and 5 relief appearances with the Orioles last year, Ramirez allowed 64 hits in 65 innings while striking out 62, but on the down side walked 36 (5.0 per 9 innings, compared to 3.4 in Triple-A and 3.6 in Double-A) as well as surrendering 11 gopher balls. All that combined for a 5.92 ERA. Ramirez was up again with the Orioles this year, but walked 9 and gave up 2 more homers in 10 innings. Despite a 1.50 ERA in four Triple-A starts, the Orioles shipped him off the to Pirates fo A Player To Be Named Later. At Indianapolis he put up a 6.00 ERA in 9 innings, in one start and four relief appearances.

Ramirez throws a four-seamer for 51% of his pitches in MLB, coming in a an average of 93.2 mph, with a change up at 26% and slider 22%.

His 2019 Oliver projection is for a 4.53 ERA on a .336 wOBA allowed, a 244/327/446 bating line. That’s a 1.40 WHIP, 8.2 H/9, 1.6 HR/9, 3.9 BB/9 and 9.0 K/9. Against right-handed batters, a 313 wOBA (227/301/418) while against lefties a 362 wOBA (264/357/477).

Ramirez’ prime responsibility would appear to be taking over some garbage innings, freeing up Geoff Hartlieb for more high-leverage situations where the Pirates momentarily trail by only one or two.