The organization has added three players to the minor league roster in the past couple of days.
RHP Eury Ramos : a 26 year old from the Dominican Republic was playing in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants organization but exercised an opt-out in his contract which granted him free agency. He had appeared in two games in the Japanese Eastern League which is one of the Nippon Professional Baseball minor leagues. In 2023 Ramos pitched for the Saraperos de Saltillo ball club in the Mexican League appearing in 41 games (all in relief) and posting a 3.71 ERA in 43.2 IP with 43 K’s and just 10 walks.
He had been in the Chicago Cubs organization after signing with them on 8/16/14 as an international free agent and reached the AAA level with Chicago before being released on 9/18/22. He appeared in 107 minor league games with the Cubs posting a 5.21 ERA in 222.2 IP with 201 K’s and 119 walks.
“Ramos is known for his live fastball, which sits in the 94-96 range, but has touched 97 and even 98. Not only does he have a live fastball, but it comes out of his hand effortlessly and jumps on hitters in a hurry. Mix that delivery with a low release point, and if Ramos can show more consistency, he can be a difficult man to hit when you look at the deception he creates. The fastball has been his most consistent pitch thus far, but like all pitchers, secondary pitches are crucial. For Ramos, his change-up may be the best of all his pitches.” - Dustin Riese - Chicago Sports HQ in a 1/18/22 article.
Eury is now training at the complex to ramp up for eventual assignment.
LHP Benony Robles : acquired in trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for RHP Connor Brogdon. Robles is 23 years old and pitched at the High A level in 2023 posting a 3.86 ERA in 33 games (32.2 IP) with 53 K’s and 19 walks. He’s from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic and was signed by the Dodgers on 7/3/17 as an international free agent. Last season he had a very strong month of August recording a 2.16 ERA in seven appearances (8.1 IP) with 14 K’s and 3 walks - a 0.84 WHIP and a .143 BAA. Robles pitched winter ball this past off-season in the Dominican Winter League for Gigantes del Cibao posting a 2.19 ERA in 12 appearances (12.1 IP).
“Robles is a left-handed reliever that was instrumental in the Great Lakes Loon’s playoff push last year, and eventual showing in the Midwest League Championship series. He is a 6’4 lefty with a fastball that sits mid 90’s and can threaten triple digits. He has a lot of swing and miss in his stuff, posting a 14.60 K/9 rate last year, a year in which he was given very high leverage positions, of which he flourished.” - Casey Porter - Dodgers Daily in a 12/6/23 article.
Benony will likely initially train at the complex before eventual assignment.
I wish Connor Brogdon well, he’s a good young man. We got to know his parents and Connor a bit while he was with the organization. The vitriol some expressed towards him on social media was unwarranted and more indicative of the lack of self worth those who wrote such garbage have than anything else. Unbelievable the extent some go to in order to make others feel bad. Flat out stupid really. Just sayin.
INF Jose Rodriguez : acquired from the Chicago White Sox in a trade for cash considerations. He’s 22 years old and was signed by the White Sox on 2/3/18 from Valverde, Dominican Republic as an international free agent. He was on the White Sox 40 man roster and had been designated for assignment on 4/4/24. He’s appeared in one major league game but has spent the majority of his time the last two seasons at the AA level (Sox affiliate Birmingham) where in 191 games played (888 plate appearances) he recorded 38 doubles, 6 triples, 29 home runs and 122 RBIs along with 203 strikeouts, 38 walks and 59 stolen bases. He played 19 games at the AAA level last year as well and hit three home runs in 87 AB’s.
The White Sox had a numbers crunch situation on their 40 man roster and Rodriquez (nicknamed Popeye) was caught in the mix when they added pitcher Mike Clevinger as a free agent signing. He’s got big power but also a power hitter’s swing and miss tendencies.
“Rodriguez has a free-swinging, aggressive approach at the plate. His swing is simple and low maintenance, and he uses quick hands to drive the ball to all fields with gap-to-gap power. He also shows the ability to make adjustments during at-bats. Rodriguez should be able to stay in the middle infield, especially when he's locked in, but at times he's seen as too nonchalant on defense. While he is not a burner, he has a quick first step, a good internal clock and average arm strength and range. That lends optimism to the idea that he can develop into a more reliable defender at shortstop or second base as he matures. Rodriguez has been good for 30 to 40 stolen bases per year, supplementing his average speed with good baserunning instincts. He projects now as a utility infielder, but continued improvements on both sides of the ball might steer him toward a starting role.“ - Baseball America scouting report from 2023.
Jose has been assigned to the Reading roster.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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