Mets360 - RP-CL Elvin Ramirez

On Monday’s podcast, I asked Mack Ade who he considered to be a sleeper among the team’s prospects. I was expecting him to say either Akeel Morris or Domingo Tapia, two guys who pitched in Kingsport this past season. But Mack identified Elvin Ramirez as a guy to watch, even suggesting that he was a closer possibility

Relievers who can reach 100 mph on the radar gun are hardly a dime a dozen. If Ramirez can keep his walks in check, he will pitch in New York sometime this season. We know how excited everyone has been about Bobby Parnell because of his ability to hit 100 on the radar gun. We also know how frustrating he’s been due to his walks and how relatively easy it is for batters to reach base when they do hit the ball.

Right now Ramirez profiles similarly as Parnell, being a hard thrower with command issues. However, Parnell never had a season in the minors with a BABIP as low as the .269 mark that Ramirez had in 2010 with St. Lucie. He’s tougher to hit than Parnell, who has a lifetime .335 BABIP in the majors. If Ramirez can cut down his walks, he has even more upside than Parnell.

Just remember if he does it in 2012 in the majors – Mack told you about it first.