Prospect Rumblings for 8-17-10

It’s been a bipolar sort of year for Ramirez, alternating good months with the bad, but when you look at his numbers as a whole, they’re impressive. More strikeouts than innings pitched and more importantly, just 34 walks in those 120 innings. Considering he had 41 walks in 66 innings last year, that’s a great deal of improvement.

Ramirez has also been on some kind of roll since July. In his last 45 innings, he has 51 strikeouts and just 11 walks. Now, his ERA is on the high side and he’s been way too hittable for a guy with his kind of stuff, so there is still work to be done. I’m hoping to get a better look at him soon.

Slaats was a 5th round pick out of Hawaii and he’s carved up what has proven to be inferior competition in the Northwest League so far. He’s pitched just 13.2 innings, but in that time he’s struck out 23 batters, walked two, and allowed just six hits. That’s good for a K% of 44.2, a BB% of 3.8 and a BABIP against of .250.

As for Slaats repertoire, it’s a low 90′s fastball he commands well, a sharp breaking slider that acts as his out pitch, and a curveball that has average potential. He’s a sleeper that is worth keeping an eye out for.