There needs to be more hype around Agustín Ramírez going into 2025

[Kevin Barral]

One of many names that the Marlins acquired at last year's trade deadline, Ramírez is close to beginning what could be a long career in the big leagues.

When the Miami Marlins traded away fan favorite Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the New York Yankees, many were left questioning the return of catcher Agustín Ramírez along with infielders Jared Serna and Abrahan Ramírez. Agustín was seen as the main piece in this deal despite entering the 2024 season ranked in the bottom half of Baseball America's and MLB Pipeline's Yankees Top 30 prospects lists. However, when you look deeper into his breakout season, there's plenty of reason to be excited about his offensive profile.

Ramírez finished last season slashing .267/.358/.487/.845 with 25 home runs, 93 RBI and a 130 wRC+. That includes a .262/.358/.447/.805 slash line with five home runs and 24 RBI during his Triple-A Jacksonville stint. He was very consistent with an OPS of at least .750 in every month. He played most of the season as a 22-year-old, facing older competition in 95% of his plate appearances.

You would think that trying to hit for so much power would comes with some swing-and-miss issues, but Ramírez struck out only 18.6% of the time. He was also a patient hitter, walking 11.1% of the time. His decision-making stands out. He was above the league average at connecting on pitches both inside and outside the zone, often resulting in hard contact.

In a limited sample size against left-handed pitching (119 PA), Ramírez posted an amazing 1.067 OPS. That was the eighth-best mark in Minor League Baseball among players with at least 100 plate appearances vs. lefties.

Compared to other Triple-A hitters, he ranked in the 89th percentile of 90th% exit velocity and 88th percentile of max exit velo. The main thing limiting his offensive production is a high groundball rate. Regularly trying to pull the ball leads to a lot of routine grounders to the left side of the infield. That aspect of his approach should be fixable.

Ramírez would likely be the top position player prospect in the Marlins organization if he could be trusted to stick at catcher. His performance last season shows there's a lot of work to be done—in his 72 games as a catcher, he had 10 errors, 11 passed balls and surrendered 110 stolen bases while only throwing out 12 baserunners. He uses the one knee down receiving technique that has become increasingly popular across baseball, but he's lacking the athleticism and reaction time to make it work right now.

In a perfect world, Ramírez would be part of the Marlins' catching tandem, splitting time with Nick Fortes during the 2025 season, with Joe Mack taking over for Fortes in the near future. The organization will give him every opportunity to make that happen, but the likely outcome for Ramírez is he will be a first baseman/designated hitter. Here at Fish On First, we are a little lower than other outlets on his potential for a defensive turnaround, though with enough reps and the right instruction, he could prove us wrong.

Ramírez, just like every prospect, will have to overcome obstacles in the major leagues, but he has talent to be a long-term fixture in the Marlins lineup.

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[rurrusuno]

I’m certainly excited about the outlook of his future in the big leagues. His offensive potential can certainly sway his defensive limitations. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Fish finished last in home runs this season. However, Ramirez can potentially be our home run leader whenever he gets to play a full season. 

[1993 fan from start]

No Marlins minor leaguers have more than 17 home runs this season.    Agustín Ramírez (20 HR) falls inline with others on how many at bats it took to get 20HR .   Agustín Ramírez  walks are low to me.   One thing he got to get better at is hitting doubles.   but how he handle pitchers will be what im looking at.  Hope he does not trun out to be Jorge Alfaro behind the plate. i     Here at Fish On First, we are a little lower than other outlets on his potential for a defensive turnaround agree . 

Abrahan Ramírez looks like the still in this trade so far.  If he numbers stay  the same.     That be marlins at lest got two  MLB Player in this trade?    yes marlins will be  low hr hitting team . when stadium rank 24 worst home run hitting park in mlb.  one thing to watch is road and home hr .... no  i don't think  Agustín Ramírez be HR leader in 2025...    Do think  Marlins are a better hitting team.