Agustin Ramirez talks about new opportunity on the Miami Marlins with Tyler Boronski.
MIAMI, Fla. – It’s been over three weeks since the Miami Marlins recalled Agustin Ramirez from a three-month stint at Triple-A, reflecting on the journey and embracing a new role with Tyler Boronski during the Washington Nationals series.
The 24-year-old was coming off a promising rookie season. Ramirez batted .231 with a .701 OPS, including 124 hits in 537 at-bats, 33 doubles, a triple, 67 runs batted in, and 21 home runs in 136 games. He finished sixth in National League Rookie of the Year voting. Despite Ramirez’s inconsistencies behind the plate, such as leading all major leaguers in errors committed (10) and passed balls (19) last season, the Marlins expressed strong belief in him.
However, the struggles continued earlier this season and the power wasn’t the same. He batted .230 with a .663 OPS, including 26 hits in 113 at-bats, five doubles, a triple, 14 runs batted in, and two home runs in 31 games. With no offensive spark, the Marlins sent Ramirez to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and promoted Joe Mack.
Although the journey was probably longer than expected, the Dominican Republic native described the mentality throughout a time of uncertainty:
“It was hard the first couple of weeks,” he told Boronski. “My mentality is to continue to work. I needed to improve on my defense and offense.”
In 59 games of Triple-A, Ramirez batted .254 with a .759 OPS, including 54 hits in 213 at-bats, 14 doubles, a triple, 29 runs batted in, and seven home runs. He appeared behind the plate in 49 games and committed 15 errors, nine passed balls, and a 15 caught-stealing percentage (13 base-runners caught and 72 were successfully stolen).
Ramirez’s return came shortly after Liam Hicks was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays on the Aug. 3 deadline. However, the Marlins won’t just have him catch. Ramirez will serve as a designated hitter and has been practicing with a first-base glove. It was Hicks’ old role on the team, but Ramirez is embracing the opportunity.
“I felt great [about the role] and I want to do it,” he said. “It’s important I take the opportunity while I’m here.”
In 13 games since returning, Ramirez has primarily served as a designated hitter. He’s caught in five games, four coming off the bench and one from start to finish. Although Ramirez’s future with the organization could become a question, for him, it’s about the present.
“I control what I can control,” he said. “Just keep going with my work.”
Ramirez has shown flashes of playing like himself again. He’s had four multi-hit performances in August. Ramirez’s bat has been a bright spot, but catching and first base opportunities might be limited. Mack and Brian Navarreto have operated very well behind the plate; Griffin Conine and Deyvison De Los Santos will split time in the right infield corner.
As long as the designated hitter spot can feature a powerful righty bat, Ramirez’s future can only go up.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes, Miami Heat, and Miami Marlins for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
