Wilkin Ramírez
Encyclopedia
Wilkin Emilio Ramírez is Dominican
professional baseball
outfielder
for the Minnesota Twins
of Major League Baseball
.
at the age of 17 as a undrafted free agent in 2003. He began playing for the Gulf Coast Tigers
in the Gulf Coast League
in , but missed the entire season due to a shoulder injury. In he joined the Low-A West Michigan Whitecaps
in the Midwest League
, where he established himself as a prospect by hitting 16 home runs with 21 stolen bases. Whitecaps manager Matt Walbeck
praised Ramirez's work ethic: "He's got a very good attitude, he likes to play." Baseball America
named him the #5 prospect in the organization. In 2006 he played for the Single A Lakeland Flying Tigers, where he dealt with injuries that shortened his season. In 2007 he split time between Lakeland and the Erie SeaWolves
of the Double A Eastern League. 2008 saw Ramírez spend most of the season in Erie before earning a call-up to the Triple A Toledo Mud Hens
. After the 2008 season Ramírez was named the 6th best Tigers prospect by Baseball America
.
In 2008, Ramírez participated in the All-Star Futures Game
during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game
weekend. He even participated in the 2010 Futures Game for the World team.
Ramírez has also participated in the Dominican Winter League.
was placed on the family medical emergency list. He made his Major League debut in the following series versus the Texas Rangers
. In his third major league at bat Ramírez homered off Texas starter Matt Harrison
, making him the first Tigers player since Reggie Sanders
(in 1974) whose first major league hit was a home run
.
Ramirez ultimately appeared in 15 games, garnering 11 at bats and hitting .364 with 1 home run and 3 runs batted in. He was used as a situational pinch runner
and defensive replacement towards the end of the 2009 season.
Ramirez entered the 2010 season as a member of the Tigers 40 man roster. Baseball America
had him listed as the 8th best prospect in the Tigers system.
On July 28, 2010 he was designated for assignment in order to make room on the 40 man roster for recent acquisition Jhonny Peralta
.
for a player to be named later
.
He had his contract purchased by the Braves on May 22, 2011.
on November 17, 2011.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
for the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Minor Leagues
Ramírez signed with the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
at the age of 17 as a undrafted free agent in 2003. He began playing for the Gulf Coast Tigers
Gulf Coast Tigers
The Gulf Coast Tigers are the Rookie Level minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The team plays in Lakeland, Florida, at Joker Marchant Stadium. The team is composed mainly of players who are in their first year of professional baseball either as draftees or non-drafted free agents from...
in the Gulf Coast League
Gulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
in , but missed the entire season due to a shoulder injury. In he joined the Low-A West Michigan Whitecaps
West Michigan Whitecaps
The West Michigan Whitecaps are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home games are played in Comstock Park, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids.-Franchise history:...
in the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
, where he established himself as a prospect by hitting 16 home runs with 21 stolen bases. Whitecaps manager Matt Walbeck
Matt Walbeck
Matthew Lovick Walbeck is a former right-handed Major League Baseball catcher who played from to for the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Anaheim Angels and Philadelphia Phillies...
praised Ramirez's work ethic: "He's got a very good attitude, he likes to play." Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
named him the #5 prospect in the organization. In 2006 he played for the Single A Lakeland Flying Tigers, where he dealt with injuries that shortened his season. In 2007 he split time between Lakeland and the Erie SeaWolves
Erie SeaWolves
The Erie SeaWolves are a minor league baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball club....
of the Double A Eastern League. 2008 saw Ramírez spend most of the season in Erie before earning a call-up to the Triple A Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
. After the 2008 season Ramírez was named the 6th best Tigers prospect by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
.
In 2008, Ramírez participated in the All-Star Futures Game
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
weekend. He even participated in the 2010 Futures Game for the World team.
Ramírez has also participated in the Dominican Winter League.
Detroit Tigers
On May 19, 2009, Ramírez was called up by the Tigers when Magglio OrdóñezMagglio Ordóñez
Magglio José Ordóñez Delgado is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right fielder. He has played for the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers . Ordóñez is six feet, one inch tall and weighs .-Professional career:...
was placed on the family medical emergency list. He made his Major League debut in the following series versus the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. In his third major league at bat Ramírez homered off Texas starter Matt Harrison
Matt Harrison (baseball)
Matthew Reid Harrison is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers.-Baseball career:Harrison attended South Granville High School in Creedmoor, North Carolina...
, making him the first Tigers player since Reggie Sanders
Reggie Sanders (first baseman)
Reginald Jerome Sanders , is a retired Major League Baseball player. He played 26 games, mostly at first base, for the Detroit Tigers in .-External links:...
(in 1974) whose first major league hit was a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
.
Ramirez ultimately appeared in 15 games, garnering 11 at bats and hitting .364 with 1 home run and 3 runs batted in. He was used as a situational pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
and defensive replacement towards the end of the 2009 season.
Ramirez entered the 2010 season as a member of the Tigers 40 man roster. Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
had him listed as the 8th best prospect in the Tigers system.
On July 28, 2010 he was designated for assignment in order to make room on the 40 man roster for recent acquisition Jhonny Peralta
Jhonny Peralta
Jhonny Antonio Peralta is a Dominican professional baseball shortstop with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He previously played with the Cleveland Indians.-Playing career:...
.
Atlanta Braves
On July 31, 2010, Ramirez was traded to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for a player to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
.
He had his contract purchased by the Braves on May 22, 2011.
Minnesota Twins
Ramirez signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
on November 17, 2011.