The Book on Alexei Ramirez

Graduated Prospect Info

Now that he's no longer rookie-eligible, The Book is closed on Alexei Ramirez as a prospect. This page remains as a historical record of his time in our prospect list.

Last bio and ranking update: 3/23/2008.

CHWAlexei Ramirez
Born 11/22/1980
OF, CHW

The multi-tooled Cuban slugger has been acquiring nicknames almost as fast as he's attracting fans. While he's let to play a major league game, he's already known as "X-Ram", "The Cuban Missile", and even "Taco Taco" after his birthplace. Ramirez was the Cuban League's best hitter last year (.335) while knocking 20 homers for Pinar Del Rio, his home-town team.

A gifted athlete who prefers shortstop, he also played second base in Pinar del Rio, and we're going to make the guess that he'll be used both at second and in the outfield this year for Chicago, since those are pretty non-demanding positions for him to handle while devoting his energy to learning both English and AL pitching. The adjustment period may hurt him for this season, but he still could end up with special value as a super-utility man, so if you're a fantasy league player, pay close attention to how he qualifies under your league rules. He could be an end-of-draft steal at shortstop, or an average big-leaguer in the outfield, for example. With a four year contract and a hot spring training, he could break camp with the major league team, and he'll certainly be given every opportunity to stick there.

Player Updates and Notes

Cuban Missile Alexei Ramirez is on fire in Chicago this month, going 17-for-36 (.472) with 10 RBIs in his last nine games. He's hauled his average all the way up to .300 and has hit four homers and stolen three bases since being given a chance to play every day. He's quietly putting both Juan Uribe and Danny Richar out of work.

6/11/2008 by KDaddy

Getting some time at second base, Ramirez has been solid in the White Sox lineup this week, though he's not really playing well enough to unsettle the current part-time shuffle. If he gets an extended look, we'll be happy, but the Sox have mishandled the young Cuban so far this year by turning his playing time into Swiss cheese. That's no way to help him adapt to MLB.

5/22/2008 by KDaddy

Unless a last minute diplomat intervenes, Cuban exile Alexei Ramirez won't be able to accompany the White Sox to Canada for their weekend series with the Blue Jays. A legal resident of the Dominican Republic, he requires a special visa for entry to the country. Ramirez, who wasn't exactly burning up the bench anyway, will spend a week in the minors... or more.

5/1/2008 by KDaddy

A cold start has relegated once-hot prospect Alexei Ramirez to a utility role and late-inning defensive duty. He'll need an injury or a very hot streak to break back into the lineup.

4/19/2008 by KDaddy

Alexei Ramirez has won the opening day starting job in centerfield, according to manager Ozzie Guillen. His spring performance pushes Nick Swisher to left field, and if he can maintain his hot bat for the first couple of weeks in the season, he might also push Jerry Owens to the bench.

3/29/2008 by KDaddy

According to Ozzie Guillen, the 'Cuban Missile' (Measle?) will break camp with the White Sox and be kept on the 25-man MLB roster. Ozzie also helpfully explained that Alexei will play "either second base or not second base". Ramirez might have been Chicago's best hitter of the spring, but it sounds like he'll have to stay hot to stay in the lineup. Given the state of the team, though, the White Sox should note that he's probably their best option for centerfield AND 2B right now.

3/22/2008 by KDaddy

The White Sox are rumored to be testing Juan Uribe on the waiver wire. If true, this is a big boost to Alexei Ramirez. Then again, maybe the Sox are about to surprise everyone and make a quick deal for Brian Roberts instead.

3/20/2008 by KDaddy

According to a weirdly racist (?) story at Fox Sports, Cuban Alexei Ramirez is adjusting very quickly to life in the USA: he already owns two laptops and an iPhone. This is news because of course, no one from Cuba could possibly know how to operate a computer, let alone a cell phone, right? Fox is less helpful supplying information on Alexei's progress hitting major league sliders, but he looks likely to play a role for the big-league club sometime this season.

3/17/2008 by KDaddy

Alexei Ramirez keeps impressing in spring, hitting .409 while being used all over the field. Manager Ozzie Guillen is not impressed with his glovework at second base, though considering he's more accustomed to shortstop and center field, that's not too much of a disappointment.

3/9/2008 by KDaddy

Officially, the White Sox aren't saying what position they'd like Cuban import Alexei Ramirez to play, but he made his preference clear today, as he went 4-for-5 with two doubles, one RBI and three runs scored against the Rockies in his first pro game on American soil. He started and played the entire game at shortstop.

2/28/2008 by KDaddy

Despite the multimillion dollar contract, Alexei Ramirez could start the season in Triple-A Charlotte, according to White Sox manager Ken Williams, who believes that "he needs time to adjust to MLB pitching."

1/27/2008 by KDaddy

Today, Alexei Ramirez agreed to a four year, incentive-laden contract with the White Sox that could be worth up to $8M.

12/22/2007 by DataBoy

Alexei Ramirez is trying out for up to a dozen MLB teams this winter, including the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox and Twins. He is expected to sign with either the White Sox or Indians, both of whom are in need of infield and corner outfield depth.

12/1/2007 by BallGrrrl

 

 

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