Seattle Mariners: Checking in on Yohan Ramirez in the Dominican Winter League

Seattle Mariners reliever Yohan Ramirez is getting quality time in the Dominican Republic

A lot of the focus has been on Seattle Mariners prospect Julio Rodriguez in the Dominican Republic Winter League but hard-throwing reliever Yohan Ramirez is also participating in his home country. The 6’4″ 25-year-old pitcher from the Dominican Republic was one of the few bright spots out of the Mariners bullpen last season.

Yohan Ramirez was an MLB Rule 5 Draft selection in 2019 and it worked out very well for the Seattle Mariners. In his first MLB season, he posted a 2.61 ERA in 20.2 innings. Ramirez struck out 26 batters but also walked 20 batters which will be an area to improve on while in the Dominican Republic.

Ramirez is pitching for Aguilas Cibaenas and there are some familiar names on the roster. Melky Cabrera, Victor Robles, Johan Camargo, Wilmer Difo, Juan Lagares, Neftali Feliz, and Vidal Nuno are all teammates of Ramirez.

This should give you a pretty good indication that the talent in the Dominican Republic Winter League is not too bad and is a meaningful way to spend the offseason for young prospects. Yohan Ramirez even pitched against Julio Rodriguez in late November, and Ramirez won the battle.

For Aguilas Cibaenas, Ramirez has worked in seven games and pitched 5.2 innings according to the MLB site. He is currently at a 3.18 ERA and has struck four batters, and walked four batters. His WHIP is currently very high at 1.94.

There was a lot to like about Yohan Ramirez’s appearances during the 2020 season, but his walks will continue to hurt him in the big leagues. If he can able to focus and throw more strikes, it could turn him into one of the best relievers in the American League, and you can hold me to that statement.

Ramirez has an electric fastball and good offspeed pitches already at such a young age. If he can get some more innnings under his belt and feel more relaxed on the mound, he might be one of the best pitchers on the Seattle Mariners roster in a couple of years.