Is Pedro Ramírez the Real Deal?

It’s hard to not be pleased with Pedro Ramírez’s first cup of coffee in the majors. The 22-year-old has made a very strong impression since he made his debut with the Cubs back in late May, quickly showing why the organization has been so high on his bat throughout his development. Through his first 71 plate appearances in the majors, Ramírez is slashing .281/.329/.438, good for a 110 wRC+.

Those numbers are impressive enough on their own, especially for a player adjusting to the highest level of competition for the first time. But what makes Ramírez’s early success even more encouraging is that his production has been backed up by strong underlying numbers. No, he hasn’t continued hitting an extra-base hit every other game (like he did at Triple-A); nor should anyone have expected him to. That type of production is nearly impossible to sustain against major-league pitching, and Ramírez doesn't have that kind of power. But the quality of his at-bats and the quality of his contact have carried over, which is a much better indicator of whether his success is legitimate.

Ramírez’s average exit velocity of 89.2 MPH and hard-hit rate of 42.9% are both right around league average, which is impressive considering his 5-foot-9 frame. (It's worth noting that, though officially listed at 165 pounds, he's clearly more like 180.) He isn’t a player who is going to attack pitches with raw strength and vaporize the ball, but he's shown he can consistently square up baseballs. His bat speed is a big reason why. Ramírez’s average bat speed of 72.6 MPH is above the league average, which gives him the ability to catch up to high-velocity fastballs while maintaining the plate discipline and contact skills that have always been a major part of his profile. After all, that's what Ramírez is truly known for.

Throughout his professional career, Ramírez has always been an elite contact hitter with an impressive ability to avoid strikeouts. That skill has translated immediately to the majors, where his strikeout rate sits at just 14.9%, one of the better marks in baseball. His ability to make contact inside the strike zone has been even more impressive, as his zone contact rate sits at 93.3%. Ramírez gets the bat on the ball, and when he does, good things tend to happen. 

Given his batted-ball profile, there’s reason to believe this early success is sustainable. Ramírez has never been a player who relies on hitting towering fly balls or selling out for power. Instead, he consistently puts quality swings on pitches and uses the entire field. Through his first few months with the Cubs, 65% of the balls he has put in play have been either ground balls or line drives. That number was even higher at Triple-A, where 69% of his batted balls fell into those two categories. He doesn’t try to do too much at the plate. He doesn’t chase home runs or try to pull every pitch. He simply takes what pitchers give him and finds ways to get on base.

In that regard, he is very similar to his Cubs teammate Nico Hoerner. Neither player is known for overwhelming power, but both are smart hitters who consistently put the ball in play, control the strike zone, and find holes in the defense. In today’s game, where power has become such a major focus, that type of offensive profile can sometimes be overlooked. But players who consistently create quality at-bats still have plenty of value. Ramírez, like Hoerner, also brings an element of speed that adds another layer to his offensive game. He can pressure defenses on the basepaths, take extra bases, and turn singles into scoring opportunities. That athleticism only adds to his overall offensive profile.

At just 22 years old, Ramírez already looks like a hitter who is well beyond his years. The bat should keep him in the Cubs’ lineup (at least part of the time; his right-handed swing is far behind his left-handed one) for a long time. The biggest question surrounding his long-term future is where he fits defensively. Ramírez has moved around the diamond throughout his professional career, but he has spent the most time at second base and third base. However, he hasn’t exactly established himself as a standout defender at either position.

More importantly, both spots appear to be occupied for the foreseeable future. Hoerner has second base locked down, while Alex Bregman gives the Cubs a long-term option at third base. Ramírez has also seen time at shortstop and left field, but Dansby Swanson is locked in for the long haul at short, which Ramírez is not quite good enough to play at the highest level, anyway; and left field would place a heavy demand on that bat.

Because of that, it’s possible Ramírez eventually settles into more of a platoon DH role, while still moving around the field when needed. He started at DH on both Saturday and Sunday. The Cubs don’t need Ramírez to be a Gold Glove-caliber defender if he continues to provide the type of offensive value he has shown early in his career. His versatility gives Craig Counsell more flexibility, and his bat gives the lineup another consistent presence.

Regardless of where he ultimately ends up defensively, Ramírez has flashed a lot of upside over the last two months. He’s a hitter with a well-rounded offensive skill set, impressive bat-to-ball ability, and the approach needed to succeed at the highest level. While his defensive future is a little less clear, his offensive profile is exactly the type of player teams look for. There's a lot to like here, and whether he does it via direct contributions or as a valuable trade chip, he looks poised to help the team both this season and beyond.