{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1989)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name = Neil Ramírez |image = Neil Ramirez on May 21, 2017 (cropped).jpg |image_size = |caption = Ramírez with the New York Mets in 2017 |position = Pitcher |team = |number = |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|5|25}} |birth_place = Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S. |bats = Right |throws = Right |debutleague = MLB |debutdate = April 25 |debutyear = 2014 |debutteam = Chicago Cubs |finalleague = MLB |finaldate = August 30 |finalyear = 2019 |finalteam = Toronto Blue Jays |statleague = MLB |stat1label = Win–loss record |stat1value = 4–8 |stat2label = Earned run average |stat2value = 4.46 |stat3label = Strikeouts |stat3value = 211 |teams = * Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2016}}) * Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2016}}) * Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2016}}) * San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2017}}) * New York Mets ({{mlby|2017}}) * Cleveland Indians ({{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2019}}) * Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2019}}) | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's baseball}} {{MedalCountry | {{bb|USA}}}} {{MedalCompetition | World Junior Baseball Championship}} {{MedalSilver| {{by|2006}} Sancti Spíritus | Team}} }} '''Neil Andrew Ramírez''' (born May 25, 1989) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, and Toronto Blue Jays.
==Early life and amateur career== Ramírez attended and played baseball at Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In high school, he was named the 2007 Gatorade Virginia Baseball Player of the Year, made the East team roster at the 2006 Aflac All-American Classic and won a silver medal with the United States at the 2006 World Junior Baseball Championship in Cuba. ''Baseball America'' ranked him the 71st best draft prospect in 2007.<ref name="gatech">{{cite news|title=2006 CWS Participant Tech Baseball Announces 13 Commitments in Early Signing Period|url=https://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/111506aac.html|access-date=16 May 2017|work=RamblinWreck.com|date=November 15, 2006}}</ref><ref name="scout">{{cite news|title=Q and A with Cubs reliever Neil Ramirez|url=http://www.scout.com/mlb/cubs/story/1410708-q-and-a-with-cubs-reliever-neil-ramirez|access-date=16 May 2017|work=Scout.com|date=June 11, 2014|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Aflac Preview: East And West Rosters|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/high-school/aflac-preview-east-and-west-rosters-2131/#R0lUHWp7lsdkkp4I.97|access-date=16 May 2017|work=Baseball America|date=9 August 2006}}</ref>
Ramírez originally committed to play college baseball at Georgia Tech but was selected by the Texas Rangers in the first round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft and decided instead to sign a professional contract.<ref name="scout" /><ref name="gatech" />
==Professional career== ===Texas Rangers=== Ramírez spent six years in the Rangers' farm system, playing for the Spokane Indians in 2008 and the Hickory Crawdads in 2009 and 2010.
[[File:Neil Ramirez on June 9, 2012.jpg|thumb|Ramírez pitching for the Round Rock Express, triple-A affiliates of the Texas Rangers, in {{Baseball year|2012}}]] On August 17, {{baseball year|2011}} he was promoted to Triple-A at Round Rock in place of Eric Hurley who was placed on the disabled list with viral infection. Prior to his promotion, on July 15, Ramírez was sent to rehab in Double-A Frisco, Texas, due to a sore shoulder. He was quoted as saying to MLB.com that the absence had not bothered him.<ref>{{cite news|author=Louie Horvath|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110817&content_id=23329970&vkey=news_tex&c_id=tex&partnerId=rss_tex|title=Prospect Ramirez not deterred by sore shoulder|work=MLB.com|date=August 17, 2011|access-date=April 22, 2014|archive-date=April 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422003344/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110817&content_id=23329970&vkey=news_tex&c_id=tex&partnerId=rss_tex|url-status=live}}</ref>
On November 18, 2011, Ramírez was added to the Rangers' 40-man roster.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111118&content_id=26003228&vkey=pr_tex&c_id=tex|title=Rangers purchase contracts of six players for 40-man roster|date=November 18, 2011|access-date=November 18, 2011|archive-date=April 21, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421051057/http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111118&content_id=26003228&vkey=pr_tex&c_id=tex}}</ref>
===Chicago Cubs=== [[File:DSCN0126 Neil Ramirez.jpg|thumb|left|Ramírez pitching for the Chicago Cubs in 2014]] On August 23, 2013, Ramírez was traded to the Chicago Cubs as the player to be named later in the July 2013 trade of Matt Garza.<ref>{{cite news|date=August 23, 2013|author=Mark Gonzales|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/chi-chicago-cubs-neil-ramirez-20130823,0,1491346.story|title=Cubs claim RHP Ramirez on waivers to complete Garza trade|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=August 23, 2013|archive-date=August 24, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824025333/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/chi-chicago-cubs-neil-ramirez-20130823,0,1491346.story}}</ref> By June 9, 2014, through 14 innings pitched, he had struck out 23 players while having a 0.71 WHIP ratio.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/neil-ramirez-proving-he-belongs-cubs|title=Neil Ramirez proving he belongs with Cubs|publisher=Comcast SportsNet Chicago|date=June 9, 2014|access-date=June 24, 2014|archive-date=June 24, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140624010108/http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/neil-ramirez-proving-he-belongs-cubs}}</ref>
On June 5, 2014, Ramírez earned his first career save in a victory over the New York Mets.
Ramírez finished the year with a 1.44 ERA in 43.2 innings pitched
===Milwaukee Brewers=== On May 31, 2016, Ramírez was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/05/brewers-claim-neil-ramirez.html|title=Brewers Claim Neil Ramirez|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=May 31, 2016|access-date=May 31, 2016}}</ref>
===Minnesota Twins=== On June 12, 2016, Ramírez was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/06/twins-claim-neil-ramirez.html|title=Twins Claim Neil Ramirez|last=Byrne|first=Connor|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 12, 2016|access-date=June 12, 2016}}</ref> He made 8 appearances for Minnesota, struggling to a 6.14 ERA with 11 strikeouts across {{fraction|14|2|3}} innings pitched. Ramírez was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Rochester Red Wings on July 20.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Steve |date=July 20, 2016 |title=Twins Outright Neil Ramirez |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/07/twins-outright-neil-ramirez.html |access-date=2025-11-22 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> In 16 outings for Rochester, he compiled a 3.10 ERA with 27 strikeouts across {{fraction|20|1|3}} innings of work. Ramírez elected free agency following the season on November 7.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2016|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/|access-date=July 22, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2016 |language=en}}</ref>
===San Francisco Giants=== On November 28, 2016, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-nov-19-dec-1/|title=Minor League Transactions: Nov. 19-Dec. 1|last=Eddy|first=Matt|work=baseballamerica.com|date=December 5, 2016|access-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref> On April 1, the Giants announced that Ramírez had earned the team's final Opening Day bullpen spot.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Quick Hits: Rockies, Rays, Orioles, Rangers, Giants|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/04/quick-hits-rockies-rays-orioles-rangers-giants.html|access-date=July 22, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=April 2017 |language=en}}</ref> In 9 games for San Francisco, he recorded an 8.71 ERA with 18 strikeouts across {{fraction|10|1|3}} innings pitched. On April 30, Ramírez was designated for assignment to create room for Bryan Morris, who had his contract selected from Triple-A.
===Toronto Blue Jays=== On May 4, 2017, Ramírez was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/blue-jays-claim-relief-pitcher-neil-ramirez-off-waivers/|title=Blue Jays claim relief pitcher Neil Ramirez off waivers|work=Sportsnet|date=May 4, 2017|access-date=May 4, 2017}}</ref> He was designated for assignment on May 9 without having thrown a pitch for the Blue Jays. On May 14, Ramírez elected free agency after being outrighted to the minor leagues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/bluejayspr/status/863840866863075330|title=Blue Jays PR on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=May 14, 2017}}</ref>
===New York Mets=== On May 16, 2017, the New York Mets signed Ramírez.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/mets-sign-righty-neil-ramirez-major-league-deal-report-article-1.3170515|title=Desperate for pitching help, Mets sign righty Neil Ramirez to major-league deal|website=New York Daily News|date=17 May 2017 }}</ref> On July 20, the Mets designated Ramírez for assignment.
===Washington Nationals=== On July 27, 2017, Ramírez signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals. In 14 games for the Triple–A Syracuse Chiefs, he registered a 6.14 ERA with 20 strikeouts in {{fraction|14|2|3}} innings pitched. Ramírez elected free agency following the season on November 6.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2017|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2017/?amphtml|access-date=September 18, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 7, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>
===Cleveland Indians=== [[File:Neil Ramirez (27801847367) (Cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Ramírez pitching for the Cleveland Indians in 2018]] Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians on November 30, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/indians-agree-to-minor-league-deals-with-neil-ramirez-evan-marshall.html|title=Indians Agree To Minor League Deals With Neil Ramirez, Evan Marshall|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=November 30, 2017|access-date=November 30, 2017}}</ref> The Indians purchased Ramírez's contract on May 15, 2018.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hoynes|first1=Paul|title=Cleveland Indians put Bradley Zimmer on DL; promote RHP Neil Ramirez|url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2018/05/cleveland_indians_put_bradley.html|publisher=Cleveland.com|date=May 15, 2018}}</ref> He finished the season with an ERA of 4.54 in {{frac|41|2|3}} innings, his most output since his rookie season in 2014.
He began the 2019 season in the bullpen. He was designated for assignment by the Indians on May 18, 2019, after registering an ERA of 5.40 in {{frac|16|2|3}} innings.<ref>{{cite news|author=RotoWire Staff|title=Indians' Neil Ramirez: Designated for {{sic|assigment|nolink=y}} |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/indians-neil-ramirez-designated-for-assigment/|access-date=May 18, 2019|work=CBS Sports|date=May 18, 2019}}</ref> After clearing waivers, Ramírez accepted a minor league assignment to the Columbus Clippers, the Indians' Triple-A affiliate, on May 23, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Todd |first1=Jeff |title=Neil Ramirez Accepts Outright Assignment With Indians |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/05/neil-ramirez-accepts-outright-assignment-with-indians.html |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date=May 24, 2019}}</ref> He was released on August 2, 2019.
===Toronto Blue Jays (second stint)=== On August 6, 2019, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was called up by the Blue Jays on August 11.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-call-newly-signed-reliever-neil-ramirez-triple/ |title=Blue Jays call up newly signed reliever Neil Ramirez from triple-A |date=August 11, 2019 |access-date=August 12, 2019 |author=Sportsnet Staff |work=sportsnet.ca}}</ref> On September 1, Ramirez was designated for assignment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/blue-jays-neil-ramirez-surrenders-roster-spot/|title=Blue Jays' Neil Ramirez: Surrenders roster spot|date=September 1, 2019|access-date=September 1, 2019|author=RotoWire Staff|work=CBS Sports}}</ref> He declared free agency on September 4.
===Los Angeles Angels=== On December 22, 2019, Ramírez signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels that included an invitation to Spring Training. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=2023-03-18|website=mlb.com|language=en}}</ref> Ramírez was released by the Angels organization on September 1, 2020.
===High Point Rockers=== On April 28, 2023, after several years of inactivity, Ramírez signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/ | title=Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions }}</ref> In 10 games (8 starts) for the Rockers, he logged a 2–3 record and 4.82 ERA with 37 strikeouts across {{fraction|37|1|3}} innings pitched.
On April 15, 2024, Ramírez re–signed with High Point.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2024 Transactions|url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/|access-date=April 16, 2024|website=atlanticleague.com|language=en}}</ref> In 17 games (12 starts) for the Rockers, he posted a 5–4 record and 4.83 ERA with 75 strikeouts over 69 innings. Ramírez was released by High Point on August 13.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Transactions|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174&seasonid=33927|access-date=August 13, 2024|website=baseball.pointstreak.com|language=en}}</ref>
==Scouting report== According to ''Baseball America'', Ramírez is {{convert|6|ft|4|in}} tall, weighs {{convert|210|lb}}, and can throw his fastball at {{convert|97|mph}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/08/cubs-acquire-neil-ramirez-as-ptbnl-in-garza-deal/|title=Cubs acquire Neil Ramirez as PTBNL in Garza deal|work=ChicagoNow|author=John Arguello|date=August 23, 2014|access-date=August 22, 2014|archive-date=August 26, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826004624/http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/08/cubs-acquire-neil-ramirez-as-ptbnl-in-garza-deal/}}</ref>
==Personal== Ramírez married Tiffany in October 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Muskat|first1=Carrie|title=Ramirez makes life-changing trip to Haitian orphanage|url=http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/159975992/cubs-neil-ramirez-visits-haitian-orphanage|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226190328/http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/159975992/cubs-neil-ramirez-visits-haitian-orphanage|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 26, 2015|access-date=June 7, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=December 23, 2015}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{baseballstats|mlb=519166|espn=29942|br=r/ramirne01|fangraphs=sa389925|brm=ramire001nei}} *{{Twitter}}
{{2007 MLB Draft}} {{Texas Rangers first-round draft picks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramírez, Neil}} Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:Baseball players from Virginia Beach, Virginia Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Chicago Cubs players Category:Milwaukee Brewers players Category:Minnesota Twins players Category:San Francisco Giants players Category:New York Mets players Category:Cleveland Indians players Category:Toronto Blue Jays players Category:Spokane Indians players Category:Hickory Crawdads players Category:Myrtle Beach Pelicans players Category:Frisco RoughRiders players Category:Surprise Saguaros players Category:Arizona League Cubs players Category:Round Rock Express players Category:Tennessee Smokies players Category:Iowa Cubs players Category:Rochester Red Wings players Category:Syracuse Chiefs players Category:Columbus Clippers players Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players Category:Dunedin Blue Jays players Category:High Point Rockers players