The Future

Sea Dogs defeat Thunder

This article is a recap of Portland's victory over the Trenton Thunder last night. Sheldon Fulse made a game saving grab of Aaron Rifkin's two out drive to deep center, preventing a three-run home run and preserving the Dogs 6-4 victory. That was a great play in a game that featured about six deep drives to the warning track in center, all of which Fulse handled ably. But I don't really want to write about that game. I want to write about Boston's future shortstop, Hanley Ramirez.

I'm ready to tell Orlando Cabrera to not get too comfortable in Fenway Park, because I don't think that he is going to keep this kid from taking his place by the 2006 season. In a post last week, I expressed some concern about Ramirez' range at shortstop, but last night's performance, combined with my friend David's own scouting report, have put those worries to rest. It was Hanley's second AA game, and it was played through a steady rain. He gets a mulligan.

Ramirez was only tested once defensively last night, but he was more than up to the task. Playing at double-play depth, he ranged far into the hole to snag a ground ball, then leapt to his and fired a laser to gun down the runner at first base. Range didn't look like a problem on that play.

Ramirez has also shown an ability to hit with authority to all fields. Last night he hit two long fly balls to the opposite field, resulting in a double and a home run. I may be overreacting to a small sample size (OK, it's very likely that I am), because he didn't show too much power in A-ball (1 HR, .389 SLG in 62 games at Sarasota). Still, his track record shows good doubles and triples power. Considering that Ramirez is still only 20 years old, there is a good chance that he will develop some home run power in the future. This much I can say - the ball sounds real good coming off his bat.

Ramirez has hit over .300 at every level thus far, save for his .275 average in Low-A Augusta last season, one in which he seemed to suffer from a few off-field problems. He doesn't walk a ton (approximately once in every 15 PA's in his career, none in 39 PA's in Portland thus far), but it doesn't seem to be a result of poor plate discipline. He hits the strikes and I haven't seen him chasing after bad pitches.

Putting all of the above together with his good speed (15 SB this year, 36 last year), and you have the makings of a five-tool player at the top of the lineup. It's no wonder he's rated Boston's #1 position player prospect.

But I don't want to get ahead of myself. Ramirez is still a ways away. His AA performance rates a .236 major league equivalent average per Baseball-Prospectus.com, and his Sarasota numbers only come in at a .209 MLE, which means he would likely be overmatched in the majors. Still, he's only 20 (very young for AA), and the incumbant hasn't done any better this year (.222 EqA), so there is room for optimism.

So step aside, Orlando. Make way for another Ramirez.