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This series seemed to pick up some momentum in terms of traffic as the post on shortstops picked up some links. As we move to the outfield, we see a group of left fielders whose destinies might be as role players if they ever make the majors at all. Of course, one of the players is too far off to know if he'll even make it past Lakeland.
Wilkin Ramirez, Toledo/Detroit
24, 6’2”, 190, Bats: R
PA: 481/13
AVG: .258/.364
OBP: .326/.385
SLG: .445/.818
XBH%: 36.6/50.0
K%: 29.7/23.1
BB%: 8.5/7.7
wOBA: .350/.468
People are probably ready to see Wilkin Ramirez get a chance, but the truth is he simply hasn’t shown he’s ready to handle a full-time job at the major league level. With that being the case, his problems are only going to get worked out (if they ever get worked out) with game reps. That’s going to have to happen at the Triple A level unless Guillen, Raburn and Damon have a mishap during a male bonding trip to Epcot.
Having said that, I’m skeptical as to whether another year of Wilkin’s hit or miss approach down in Toledo is going to help him much. The numbers he posted there in 2009 were very similar to his 2008 numbers in Erie aside from an elevated BABIP in 2008. That’s encouraging considering it was a step up, but it didn’t really look like the growth the Tigers must have been hoping to see.
So have we seen what Ramirez has to offer? He’s made improvements in his approach at the plate judging by his numbers, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s settled in close to where he’s going to be in terms of walk and strikeout rates. If that’s the case, it’s hard to make a living with a 4:1 K to BB ratio.
That means he’ll have to develop, or at least maintain, his power stroke and make good use of his speed on the bases. Those legs may help get back some of the batting average he loses to strikeouts. Some stolen bases and good power might allow him to stay useful - though maybe as a platoon player or a fourth outfielder - despite an on-base percentage a little too close to .300. It will just be more difficult if he doesn’t develop outfield instincts that can make better use of his speed on defense.
Andy Dirks, Lakeland/Erie
24, 6’0”, 195, Bats: L
PA: 117/408
AVG: .330/.255
OBP: .410/.323
SLG: .379/.349
XBH%: 14.7/22.8
K%: 9.4/15.0
BB%: 11.1/8.8
wOBA: .388/.311
Dirks won out in a group of left field prospects who are a bit old for their level but have some interesting pieces to their game. You can see the others below, but let’s focus on the one I view as having the most potential. He was taken in the 8th round of the 2008 draft and after signing fairly quickly, was assigned to West Michigan. Unfortunately, he broke his hand just three games into his pro career and didn’t again until rehabbing in the GCL in August.
Nevertheless, the Tigers like the “dirt dog” and assigned him to Lakeland to start the 2009 season. To say he took to the promotion may be a bit of an understatement as he only lasted until May before being called to Erie. When the call came, he was hitting well, had walked more than he struck out and stolen 10 bases in 12 tries. It seemed obvious his stock was rising. The aggressive move to Erie seemed to tripped him up, though. He didn’t walk as much, struck out more and didn’t have as many hits falling in. He looked to be a bit lost against lefties and when it was all said and done, it was hard not to chalk the season up as a disappointment after the notable start.
Let’s not write him off quite yet, though. He barely has a season professional ball under his belt and will still be starting the 2010 season in Erie. He has good speed, good defense in the outfield from what I’ve heard and good contact skills. If he gets back to drawing walks, batting from the left side, he could work his way back into the picture as a prospect. If you want that picture to be of him in the field, though, it’s probably going to have to be in the late innings. If he makes the show, I doubt it will be as a starter.
Steven Moya, DSL Tigers
18, 6’6”, 220, Bats: L
PA: 255
AVG: .252
OBP: .361
SLG: .372
XBH%: 25.5
K%: 22.7
BB%: 12.9
wOBA: n/a
Moya is quite a bit younger than most prospects I pay attention to. He’s just 18 and has spent only one season in the DSL. Then again, most 18-year old prospects playing in the Dominican aren’t built like NBA small forwards. Take that frame and add in the fact that he was included in the Tigers’ Instructional League, meaning he’s likely going to play in the States in 2010, and you have an intriguing prospect.
I can’t say enough times that numbers at the low levels don’t mean much, but I still like that he was an above average hitter in the DSL as a 17-year old playing his first pro season. I’m particularly surprised by the walk rate, given that he’s 6’6”, but that can probably be attributed to lack of control by DSL pitchers as much as his discipline. Then again, at least he wasn’t always swinging when the pitches weren’t strikes.
In the end, if I’m being honest, I’m simply a sucker for Tiger prospects who are young and interesting. I’m sorry, but a kid who’s this size, swings from the left side and whose skills are trusted enough for the Tigers to bring him to the States? That’s interesting. Incidentally, I put the over/under on the number of mainstream articles mentioning him and bringing up either Tony Clark or Daryl Strawberry at two. I would’ve said one, but then I guess you couldn’t bet the under.
Honorable mention: I have a hard time not lumping together Brent Wyatt, Josh Workman and Deik Scram. As I mentioned above, they’re all old for their level and while they bring some good skills to the ballpark, they're not really the kind that tend to get you noticed. Wyatt is 25 and spent last season in West Michigan, but drew 67 walks against 71 strikeouts, stole 23 bases in 32 attempts and would have turned in a good season with better luck on balls in play (.276 BABIP).
Workman, 24, was called up to Lakeland about the time Kyle Peter went down to injury, but held his own when given the chance (.297/.378/.380). That outpaced the FSL’s average hitter by quite a bit and drawing walks was a good part of his game. Being a left-handed hitter could help him, too, but he doesn’t really look like a left fielder at the plate and a promotion to Erie in 2010 is no given.
Finally, there’s Deik Scram. He came the closest to cracking the top three, but he’s 26 and hasn’t played above Erie. Add to that the fact that he’s struck out 248 times in his two seasons in Erie and I just have a hard time envisioning him putting up a decent batting average. His secondary skills can make up for some of that, but I doubt they’ll cover for him if he’s hitting .230 or .240. He has a left-handed bat working in his favor, but you may have noticed most of these other guys do, too. I do, however, get the feeling he’s a plus defender and his holding his own when given a chance in center would seem to support that.
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