Edwar Ramírez

Edwar Ramírez
Free agent – No. 59
Relief pitcher
Born: March 28, 1981 (1981-03-28) El Cercado, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 3, 2007 for the New York Yankees
Career statistics (through May 12, 2010)
Win-Loss	7-2
Earned Run Average	5.19
Strikeouts	126
Teams
New York Yankees (2007–2009) Oakland Athletics (2010)

Edwar Emilio Ramírez (born March 28, 1981, in El Cercado, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.

Professional career

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: 2002–2005

Ramírez was in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim system from 2002-2003 when he was released without advancing past the Single A level. He did not play professional baseball in 2004.

In early 2005 he was re-signed by the Angels, but he was quickly released by the club for the second time in his short career after playing in one game for the AAA affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees.

Independent Leagues: 2005–2006

Ramírez played Independent baseball for the Pensacola Pelicans and the Edinburg Coyotes in 2005 and 2006 before signing with the Yankees on July 9, 2006.

In 43 games with Pensacola, Ramírez had a 1.45 ERA, struck out 93 batters and walked only 15 and finished with a record of 2-2 with 11 saves over 62 innings of work. With Edinburg, he threw 25.1 innings of relief over 25 games, finishing with a 1-1 record and 16 saves. He also had 46 strikeouts, 10 walks and a 1.07 ERA.

New York Yankees: 2007–2009

Searching for a pitcher recently released by an MLB organization, Yankees professional scouting director Billy Eppler purchased Ramírez from the United League for $1,500 to $3,000. Ramírez pitched for the Single A Tampa Yankees for the remainder of the 2006 season. He pitched 32.2 innings, compiled a record of 4-1, an ERA of 1.17 and struck out 47.

He began the 2007 season with the Yankees' AA affiliate, the Trenton Thunder. In 9 relief appearances he had a record of 3-0 and 1 save, and allowed only 1 run in 16.2 innings, for an ERA of 0.54. He compiled 33 strikeouts and 8 walks. He was promoted to the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, where he pitched 26.2 innings of relief in 15 games, allowing only 2 runs over that span (0.67 ERA). He tallied 47 strikeouts and 9 walks in that time.

Ramírez with the Yankees

Ramírez was called up to the Major League club for the first time on July 1, 2007. He remained with the club for nearly three weeks, and was optioned back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on July 21.

In his major league debut on July 3, 2007, against the Minnesota Twins, Ramírez pitched the ninth inning for the Yankees and struck out all three batters he faced, including reigning AL MVP Justin Morneau, securing an 8-0 win for the Yankees. The last Yankee to strike out the side in his debut was Stan Bahnsen in 1966. On July 6, against the Angels, he gave up 1 run on 2 hits in 1.1 innings; as the pitcher of record, he was awarded his first career win in the 14-9 Yankees victory. In his final relief appearance in his first stint with the major league club, he faced the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on July 20 he walked four and gave up a grand slam to Dioner Navarro without recording an out, with only 2 of his 19 pitches resulting in strikes. After the game, he was so shaken by his performance that he had to cut short his comments to reporters, and was seen crying at his locker. He was optioned back to AAA the following day.

Ramírez warming up before a game at Yankee Stadium, 2007.

In his first appearance following his demotion, Ramírez picked up where he left off, striking out two in 1 ¹⁄₃ hitless innings, helping Joba Chamberlain hold onto his first career Triple A victory.

On August 15, Ramírez was recalled by the Yankees, striking out three Baltimore Orioles in 2.1 scoreless innings in his return. On August 19, 2007 Ramírez earned his first Major League save against the Detroit Tigers with two hitless innings, striking out the side in the 8th. On October 10, 2007, Ramírez was named the Minor League Baseball Reliever of the Year.

On April 18, 2008 he was recalled from AAA and was sent down a day later. He was called up again on April 29, 2008. He did not give up a run at any level of baseball through May 31.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera took Ramírez and fellow reliever José Veras under his wing, mentoring the two in the Yankee bullpen during games.

On May 19, 2009, Ramírez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room on the roster for pitcher Brian Bruney.

To make room for newly signed pitcher Chan Ho Park, Ramírez was designated for assignment by the Yankees on February 28, 2010.

Texas Rangers/Oakland Athletics: 2010

On March 9, 2010, Ramírez was traded to the Texas Rangers for cash considerations.

On March 24, 2010, Ramírez was traded to the Athletics for Gregorio Petit. He was designated for assignment on May 15, and outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento on May 21.

Mexico: 2011

Ramírez pitched for the Leones de Yucatan of the Mexican League in 2011.

Pitching style

Ramírez primarily throws a 89-91 MPH fastball with slight lateral movement. His primary strikeout pitch is a low 80s circle changeup that has similar movement to a palmball, and is particularly effective against left-handed batters. He taught himself the change-up during his year-long hiatus from professional baseball in 2004. He has recently developed a low 80s slider into his repertoire.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Edwar Ramírez at Rotoworld.com