50 FAVORITE WHITE SOX PLAYERS

[knightni]

50. Alexei Ramirez

 

 

(3 of 27 lists - 40 points - highest ranking #7 rangercal)

 

.312-BA 92-H 41-R 18-2B 1-3B 10-HR 40-RBI 8-SB

 

Bio by Texsox -

 

It takes most players years to become a fan favorite. They may fall into the background as the stars and long term players grab the spot light. Others grab the fans attentions right from the start with their outstanding play and personality.

 

At 6’3” and 185 pounds, Alexei Ramirez is the thinnest player on the Sox, and one of the quickest. On a team full of ox mules and lumberjacks, Ramirez stands out. The recently immigrated Cuban second baseman, alongside fellow newcomer shortstop Orlando Cabrera, forms the future middle of the infield for the Sox.

 

Whether fans are falling for his potential, his current production, it is easy to see why Ramirez is one of the Soxtalk fan favorites.

 

 

Here's a nice platitude-containing blog entry:

 

http://sugarskullparade.blogspot.com/2008/...t-clemente.html

 

 

Please feel free to comment with any more info and favorite stories about this player or any other in this list.

[Leonard Zelig]

Do you guys remember that one game, against the Tigers, when Alexei Ramirez hit a 2-out home run in the bottom of the 8th inning off Kyle Farnsworth to tie the game, after the Sox had been down 6-1, and then later in the 14th inning, Nick Swisher hit a 3-run walk-off homer to win the game?

 

That was awesome.

[greasywheels121]

Do you guys remember that one game, against the Tigers, when Alexei Ramirez hit a 2-out home run in the bottom of the 8th inning off Kyle Farnsworth to tie the game, after the Sox had been down 6-1, and then later in the 14th inning, Nick Swisher hit a 3-run walk-off homer to win the game?

 

That was awesome.

 

[knightni]

Do you guys remember that one game, against the Tigers, when Alexei Ramirez hit a 2-out home run in the bottom of the 8th inning off Kyle Farnsworth to tie the game, after the Sox had been down 6-1, and then later in the 14th inning, Nick Swisher hit a 3-run walk-off homer to win the game?

 

That was awesome.

 

I'll say it...

 

"Yeah, I remember it like it was only yesterday."

 

[ChWRoCk2]

The glove flip to first.

 

Don't remember who it was against but an awesome play. He continues to get better at 2B as the season rolls on.

[fathom]

He was the last person I wanted up during the first few weeks of the season. Now, he might be the first guy I want up in a big situation.

[Heads22]

He was the last person I wanted up during the first few weeks of the season. Now, he might be the first guy I want up in a big situation.

 

.346 close and late

.414 RISP

[letsgoarow]

He is a ball of energy for this team and i love it!

[BearSox]

I think Alexei would make a fantastic leadoff hitter, in the mold of Soriano. The only difference is that Soriano will give you more pop, but Alexei won't K a ton.

Edited August 7, 2008 by BearSox

[Heads22]

You'd typically like a leadoff guy to walk more than 20 times a year.

[dasox24]

Oh, I love Chris Farley...

[BearSox]

You'd typically like a leadoff guy to walk more than 20 times a year.

Soriano averages about 30 walks a year... I think Ramirez can average around that many a year.

[Kalapse]

Soriano averages about 30 walks a year... I think Ramirez can average around that many a year.

And the only reason Soriano hasn't been moved out of the leadoff spot is because he refuses to.

[witesoxfan]

If you want to be fair about it, Carlos Quentin would make a good leadoff hitter too; his production justifies him better as a #3 hitter though. Same story with Soriano.

[BearSox]

Just because Soriano bats lead off doesn't mean he is a lead off hitter.

True, as I actually agree Soriano shouldn't be a leadoff hitter.

 

However, that doesn't mean that he's a bad leadoff hitter either. I think the fact that Ramirez won't hit for the power you'd expect from a 3-4-5 guy (I see him averaging about 20-25 a year), either he should bat leadoff, 2nd, or 6th/7th.

[Balta1701]

You'd typically like a leadoff guy to walk more than 20 times a year.

If he could keep up the .338 batting average he's had since May 8, then the OBP would take care of itself. 20-30 walks would still put him at a solid .360 or .370 clip.

 

But no matter how sexy he is, it's just hard to believe that batting average is sustainable.

 

The other issue is he doesn't take a lot of pitches, but that's another matter.

 

My word, since May 8 when he bottomed out he has an .880 OPS.

[Kalapse]

If he could keep up the .338 batting average he's had since May 8, then the OBP would take care of itself. 20-30 walks would still put him at a solid .360 or .370 clip.

 

But no matter how sexy he is, it's just hard to believe that batting average is sustainable.

 

The other issue is he doesn't take a lot of pitches, but that's another matter.

 

My word, since May 8 when he bottomed out he has an .880 OPS.

Some pretty interesting numbers regarding Ramirez:

 

Alexei has struckout 39 times this season, only 3 of those were looking.

 

Alexei sees 3.17 pitches per plate appearance, that's well below average which is 3.80. Swisher sees 4.52, Cabrera: 3.49.

 

Alexei swings at 61% of the pitches he sees. League average is 45%.

 

Alexei makes contact on 80% of his swings which is exactly league average.

 

Alexei swings at the first pitch about 50% of the time. League average: 28%, Nick Swisher: 15%, OC: 29%, CQ: 35%, AJ: 38%

 

Bottom line: Alexei Ramirez REALLY likes to swing the bat.

[BearSox]

Some pretty interesting numbers regarding Ramirez:

 

Alexei has struckout 39 times this season, only 3 of those were looking.

 

Alexei sees 3.17 pitches per plate appearance, that's well below average which is 3.80. Swisher sees 4.52, Cabrera: 3.49.

 

Alexei swings at 61% of the pitches he sees. League average is 45%.

 

Alexei swings at the first pitch about 50% of the time. League average: 28%, Nick Swisher: 15%, OC: 29%, CQ: 35%, AJ: 38%

 

Bottom line: Alexei Ramirez REALLY likes to swing the bat.

 

And I love that about him.

[knightni]

His hitting style is Ozzie-esque -- except for the HR power part.

 

Guillen wouldn't take a walk if it was free.

 

 

[Steve9347]

I looooooove Alexei.

[Jake]

Bottom line: Alexei Ramirez REALLY likes to swing the bat.

 

And he is really good at it.

[jasonxctf]

Alexei is easily becoming one of my favorite players on this team. CLUTCH.

[Cubano]

Some pretty interesting numbers regarding Ramirez:

 

Alexei has struckout 39 times this season, only 3 of those were looking.

 

Alexei sees 3.17 pitches per plate appearance, that's well below average which is 3.80. Swisher sees 4.52, Cabrera: 3.49.

 

Alexei swings at 61% of the pitches he sees. League average is 45%.

 

Alexei makes contact on 80% of his swings which is exactly league average.

 

Alexei swings at the first pitch about 50% of the time. League average: 28%, Nick Swisher: 15%, OC: 29%, CQ: 35%, AJ: 38%

 

Bottom line: Alexei Ramirez REALLY likes to swing the bat.

 

And he fouls a lot of pitches making the bad guys to throw more pitches. Ramirez should bat second behind a lefty leadoff hitter. He can hit to all fields and he can bunt too. Ramirez has 42 RBI's and he has batted at the bottom of the order for the most part. In a 600 AB season, those RBI numbers are great for a guy hitting the low.

 

[GoodAsGould]

To be fair, its not like Alexi pulls a Uribe and swings at balls no where near the zone on a consistant basis. He is just very good at putting the ball in play, which doesnt lead to deep counts.

[Cubano]

To be fair, its not like Alexi pulls a Uribe and swings at balls no where near the zone on a consistant basis. He is just very good at putting the ball in play, which doesnt lead to deep counts.

 

 

Maybe opposing pitchers see him out there and think this skeleton won't be able to hit the ball. Ha, ha, ha. It is all about swing velocity and pitch recognition.