Milton Ramos - acquired from mets for international spending money

[LTKmets]

http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/240649996/mets-trade-milton-ramos-for-bonus-pool-money/

Hi guys & gals.   Mets fan here.

Milton Ramos was a 3rd round pick, $750,000 signing in 2014 and by some rankings a 2nd round talent.  A HS SS with a plus glove and solid tools. . . . . that's the good.

The bad (and sorry, but I may as well break the news).  His glove never quite showed the flash in the minors that his reputation had.    That's not to say he was bad, but he wasn't elite.  

2015:  The Mets, being rich in SS's played him some at 2nd, he protested and the mets responded to his protest by demoting him from Kingsport (Apply league) to GCL (Rookie league) - technically they're both rookie leagues I think but Appy is a level higher.   The demotion was temporary and then they sent him back to Kingsport where he finished the year on a hitting tear and briefly looked like a good prospect end of 2015.   19 years old in high-rookie league, but he had promise.   Might have even flirted with top 10/top 12 ranking.

2016: He skipped Brooklyn and went straight to low-A Columbia.    He didn't hit this year (.220 average. 0 homers) and again his glove was closer to average than elite.   Might still stick at SS but didn't wow anyone.   He slipped to around the #20 spot in the rankings per MLB.   Feelings were more mixed on where he lands as a prospect.

2017:  I hate to say this about anyone, but because it's out there by sports writers (if you did), somebody called him a "bad dude".   I also heard from two mets fans (two separate minor league games), one said he put on enough weight that he doesn't look like a SS anymore, (given that he's still 21, that might mean 3B/2B in the future more than SS) and another fan at a game said that he looked "unhappy" playing 3rd base, visibly unhappy.    Take all that with a grain of salt but there's rumors of some disgruntlement.    (is disgruntlement a word?   I'm going to pretend it is).     I can only speculate, but I wouldn't have been completely surprised if the mets were to release him at the end of the year.    The mets already released 2 somewhat physically talented but not "team player" types so far this year, (Sixto Torres and Eudor Garcia).  It's pure speculation, but it wouldn't have surprised me if the mets would have released Ramos after this year as well.    I think they're happy to trade him.

Now, even though he's not hitting this year (his numbers are strikingly similar to last year and he's repeating low-A), there's some OK tools there, nothing stand out, but there's something.    He's still able to field at least respectably and while he's not hitting, he's got some physical strength and some contact skill and the numbers could improve.   The biggest issue seems to be that he's not a coaches player.  He'd be higher ranked if he was.    

So, in the end, this wasn't a gift like the Ynoa swap cause there's probably some baggage and he's not having a good year.    I'd have a tough time ranking this guy much higher than #30 in an average system.  I think MLB's ranking him #20 out of date.    

And I wish him the best, don't get me wrong.   Just cause there might have been some baggage doesn't mean I didn't root for him (double negative - sorry).   I wish him the best with your system.   Maybe he needed a change of scenery.  

 

[Can_of_corn]

Thanks for the information.

[Frobby]

Thanks for the information.    Perhaps a change of scenery will do the young man some good.   

[sportsfan8703]

MLB pipeline had him rated as the Mets #9 prospect in 2015.  Ynoa was #8.  

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 65 | Overall: 45

The Mets were pleasantly surprised that Ramos, considered to be perhaps the best pure defender in the entire 2014 Draft Class, was still around when they picked in the third round. He didn't disappoint with the glove during his pro debut and even surprised some with his work at the plate.

Ramos takes great pride in his defense and loves to play shortstop, a position he will undoubtedly be able to man long-term. He has above-average range, plus hands and instincts and a solid and accurate arm. Ramos' bat is well behind the defense, but the Mets were encouraged with some of the glimpses he's shown, both in the Gulf Coast League a year ago and in 2015 with solid contact and on-base skills.

It was thought Ramos would be more a project in terms of developing his offensive game, and while he'll always be defensive-minded, there's hope there might be more there than initially met the eye.

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2015/?list=nym

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=656875#/career/R/hitting/2017/ALL

Maybe he just needs a change of scenery.  Rasich talked during the draft about getting more middle IF's.   

[Bestosman]

Ok Y'all, I know first hand about Milton. I am not only a Fireflies Season ticket holder, I can call him a friend. He wanted so much to be moved up and when he was sent back to Columbia this season, it hit him hard. He told me he was going to go out there and work his ass off and show everyone he didn't belong in Columbia. Well he never got that chance. They kept moving him around to different positions and hardly played two games in a row. How can someone get his game together when you never know if and where you will play. To make matters worse, we had to deal with that Tebow circus. I know he didn't like batting behind Tebow. Myself and many other season ticket holders are SO HAPPY TEBOW IS GONE. Milton has talent and he has the desire to succeed and I know for a fact, given the chance he will show everyone he BELONGS IN THE MAJORS.I will continue to root for him and follow his journey to the BIG SHOW. I will also continue to be friends and keep in contact with his family. I want to thank the Baltimore organization and the Baltimore People for giving MY FRIEND A CHANCE TO SHINE AND HOPEFULLY BRING A TROPHY TO BALTIMORE. Let him play regularly, get many at bats and I know you will be happy and proud that Milton is a part of the BALTIMORE FAMILY. My family is sad he's gone but happy he will get the chance he didn't get here in Columbia with the Mets organization. Don't listen to what people have said and ignore the labels he has gotten. He only wants to do good and be the best, just give him a chance. The change of scenery can ONLY DO HIM GOOD. I know for a fact in a few years I will be saying, I KNEW HIM WHEN.

[Frobby]

Nice to hear, thanks for the information.   

[sportsfan8703]

Liranzo, Ramos, Sardinas, Tavares, Santander, Garcia, Paredes etc....  This is how DD is forced to acquire Latin American talent. Either in the Rule 5 draft or by getting former big signees once they have flamed out for their original team. 

[Otter]

5 hours ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Liranzo, Ramos, Sardinas, Tavares, Santander, Garcia, Paredes etc....  This is how DD is forced to acquire Latin American talent. Either in the Rule 5 draft or by getting former big signees once they have flamed out for their original team. 

Exactly.  Sad but true.  I had almost forgotten about Santander; any word on where he is with the injury rehab?  Based on the big league club's trajectory, there shouldn't be any reason they can't stash him on the bench for the rest of the season.

[Cumberbundy]

5 hours ago, Otter said:

Exactly.  Sad but true.  I had almost forgotten about Santander; any word on where he is with the injury rehab?  Based on the big league club's trajectory, there shouldn't be any reason they can't stash him on the bench for the rest of the season.

One benefit of being awful. We can steal a prospect, unfortunately the Indians will probably make Manny pay for it. 

[backwardsk]

12 hours ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Liranzo, Ramos, Sardinas, Tavares, Santander, Garcia, Paredes etc....  This is how DD is forced to acquire Latin American talent. Either in the Rule 5 draft or by getting former big signees once they have flamed out for their original team. 

If you are talking about Jason Garcia, he is American.  Born in the Bronx, went to high school in FL.

[backwardsk]

6 hours ago, Otter said:

Exactly.  Sad but true.  I had almost forgotten about Santander; any word on where he is with the injury rehab?  Based on the big league club's trajectory, there shouldn't be any reason they can't stash him on the bench for the rest of the season.

He's starting to throw.

[backwardsk]

Where will Ramos play, what affiliate?

[sportsfan8703]

Mlbpipeline.com has him has our #15 prospect at the moment. They haven't added the draft picks yet. I think we are under rating the upside here a bit. 

[scarey1999]

3 minutes ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Mlbpipeline.com has him has our #15 prospect at the moment. They haven't added the draft picks yet. I think we are under rating the upside here a bit. 

I hope so. The upside is, or at least was, there. He just has yet to produce at the plate or perform in the field as predicted. So he's fallen off the radar, and thus down (or off) everyone's prospect lists. Maybe he just needs a fresh start. 

[Bestosman]

Milton Ramos is already playing for the Shoebirds. Matter of fact, he went 3 for 4 today. Hopefully playing often will get him in the groove. Too bad the Shorebirds don't return to Columbia this season. Keep up the good work, Buddy.