Milwaukee Brewers: Nick Ramirez Re-Signs On MiLB Deal

The Milwaukee Brewers announced another MiLB agreement earlier today.

This time around, it is Nick Ramirez, a 28 year old pitcher. However, pitching is relatively new to the farmhand. Up until 2017, he was a first baseman. After a .206 showing during his third straight year in Double A Biloxi, pitching became a new focus.

Though pitching on the professional stage is fairly new to Ramirez, it is not a new concept. He anchored the back end of the Cal State-Fullerton as a closer in college. But, upon his selection in the fourth round back in 2011 by the Milwaukee Brewers, he focused on first base.

Ramirez spent the majority of his season in Double A last year. He accumulated 79 innings with an ERA of 1.37. He did find himself playing for Colorado Springs by the end of the year. That, however, translates to facing a single batter. Hence the 79.1 in Adam McCalvy’s tweet above. But to Ramirez’s credit, the batter was out.

During the post season, playing for Colorado Springs, Ramirez did see time on the mound. In two appearances he surrendered six runs. Making it logical that he will start his 2018 in Triple A.

The most interesting part about all this is not the immediate success, but what the numbers are saying. Typically, a hitter who transitions will be a hard thrower that can strike guys out, but they walk a lot to start out. Especially with a closer background, Ramirez would fit this mold. But 54 strikeouts and 24 walks in almost 80 innings tell a completely different story.

It can be said an adjustment is needed as far as location for the Triple A level, or maybe it was poor luck in the playoffs. But Ramirez is immediately showing he can progress quickly as a pitcher. That means he might make a case for the Milwaukee Brewers bullpen very soon.

This is an excellent move to bring Ramirez back.

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In the slow offseason the Milwaukee Brewers remain active on the MiLB front. Some of them make sense, others do not. Signing Ramirez is one that makes a ton of sense for the organization. He might find is way into the bullpen this year if he is playing well, and there are struggles.