Baltimore Orioles Trade Yefry Ramirez To Pittsburgh Pirates

RHP Yefry Ramirez will look to put it all together with a new team after the Baltimore Orioles traded him during Monday’s game.

Things never panned out for Yefry Ramirez during his time with the Baltimore Orioles. Acquired back in July of 2017 from the New York Yankees for cash considerations, the Orioles have shipped Ramirez to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

MLB.com’s Joe Trezza announced the move during Monday’s Memorial Day win against the Detroit Tigers.

Ramirez made his major league debut last season with the Baltimore Orioles. Making 12 starts (17 total appearances), the right-hander out of Santo Domingo went 1-8 with a 5.92 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with the big league club. While he struck out more than 8.5 hitters per game, Ramirez walked nearly 5/9 IP and allowed 11 home runs in 65 innings. The results weren’t there for the rookie, but his stuff was.

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He started the 2019 season back in AAA with the Norfolk Tides, dominating International League hitters. He made four starts, struck out 24 hitters in 18 innings, and held hitters to a .177 average. His success with the Tides, combined with poor performances and numerous injuries at the major league level, led to a call-up back to the majors.

Unfortunately, Ramirez struggled mightily in his return to the Baltimore Orioles. Making four appearances, including one start against the Cleveland Indians, Ramirez went 0-2 with a 6.97 ERA and 1.94 WHIP in 10.1 innings. While his K/9 rate jumped to 9.5 K/9, his walk rate ballooned to 7.84 BB/9 IP.

A fastball, changeup, slider pitcher, Ramirez did see success with his best pitch, the changeup. His offspeed offering produced a 39% whiff rate in each of the past two seasons. Command issues and inability to locate his pitches ultimately doomed the second-year pitcher.

For players like Ramirez, it’s put up or shut up time. Younger prospects are going to be given plenty of time to develop, but veterans and fringe players like Ramirez have to show Mike Elias and the Baltimore Orioles that they can contribute at the major league level, otherwise, their time in Birdland will quickly come to a close.

I always liked Yefry Ramirez, as a minor league baseball fan, but his inability to put it all together at the major league level spelled the end of his time in orange and black. Hopefully, the Pittsburgh Pirates can figure something out and Ramirez can find success in the Steel City.

After Monday’s game, the Orioles announced that RHP Evan Phillips has been optioned back to AAA Norfolk. That leaves an open roster spot and the need for an outfielder while Trey Mancini plays more first base with Chris Davis on the Injured List. Hmmm…….is it finally DJ Stewart time?