Detroit Tigers: First Baseman Turned Pitcher Gets the Call to the Bigs

On Friday afternoon, the Detroit Tigers selected the contract of LHP Nick Ramirez from Triple-A Toledo.  This move came in correspondence to optioning RHP Zac Reininger back to the minors.

Nick Ramirez will make his way to the Majors with a very interesting background.  He was drafted in the 4th round of the 2011 MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers with plans of being a first baseman.  Then he made the switch to pitcher during the Brewers Instructional League in 2016, however, still continued to play first base.  The 29-year old left-hander did not become a full-time pitcher until joining the Detroit Tigers system after signing with them this past offseason.

Pitching isn’t completely new to Ramirez.  He was the closer for Cal State Fullerton during his time there from 2009-2011.  In 110.1 innings across three seasons, Ramirez compiled 34 saves with a 2.85 ERA to go along with an 8.24 K/9 and 3.61 K/BB ratio.  Outside of his AAA stint in Colorado Springs last year, Ramirez has picked up where he left off in college statistically.

Ramirez has done well in his switch to the bump.  While primarily being used as a reliever with the Brewers, he has started in every appearance in Erie and Toledo this season.  In his pitching career, he has compiled a 19-8 with a 2.53 ERA in 171 IP.  This year with Erie and Toledo, he is 1-1 with a 2.31 ERA in 23.1 IP.  He has done exceptionally well at getting batters out via the strikeout in the Tigers’ system with an 11.6 K/9 and 6.00 K/BB ratio.  He will be used out of the bullpen in Detroit, and having a knack for striking out batters is always good for a reliever, so I like this move by the Tigers.

This cool, heartwarming story is something Tigers’ fans can get behind and hopefully he can carry his minor league success into the majors this weekend as the Tigers take on the Twins in a 4 game series, including a doubleheader on Saturday.

Detroit Tigers- Soto gets his shot, too

Another lefty will get his opportunity in the majors during the series versus the Twins.  Gregory Soto, the Tigers 25th ranked prospect according to MLB.com, will be called up to the Tigers to start the second game of the doubleheader.  Soto started the year in A+ Lakeland and moved up to AA Erie along with Casey Mize two weeks ago.  He is 0-1 with 3.12 ERA in 17.1 IP this season.