Jose Ramirez is a switch-hitter that experiments with positions more than the Kama-Sutra. With Yahoo, he was eligible at 3B/2B/SS/OF, while he was classified as a 3B/OF in ESPN. Ranked as the 17th overall third baseman by Grey, Ramirez poses an interesting case for sabermetrics analysis. He had his first role with consistent playing time in 2016, similar to fellow star shortstop Francisco Lindor. I’ll be analyzing the two players together, to demonstrate the relative value generated by Ramirez.
Looking at standard stats, we can see that the two players had a fairly similar year:
| Player | G | PA | HR | R | RBI | SB | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Ramirez | 152 | 618 | 11 | 84 | 76 | 22 | 0.312 |
| Francisco Lindor | 158 | 684 | 15 | 99 | 78 | 19 | 0.301 |
The main difference is runs, which is likely attributed to the batting order. Lindor was consistently batting third throughout the year, typically followed by Mike Napoli batting fourth. Napoli is a great hitter, driving in 101 RBIs in 2016 with a 0.343 wOBA. Ramirez, being the utility player, typically batted anywhere between fifth and ninth in the batting order. Ramirez found his way into consistent playing time, but at the expense of a prime batting spot. I suppose that’s the flexibility needed for all these positions, wink wink.
Delving into sabermetrics, we can start to analyze the similarities in their 2016 seasons:
| Player | BB% | K% | ISO | BABIP | OBP | wOBA | wRC+ | BsR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Ramirez | 7.1% | 10.0% | .150 | .333 | .363 | .355 | 122 | 8.8 |
| Francisco Lindor | 8.3% | 12.9% | .134 | .324 | .358 | .340 | 112 | 1.0 |
“Analysis Format: Sabermetric Stat (League Average)
The analysis format will outline the sabermetric stat, along with the league average for the 2016 season. For example, BB% – Walk Percentage (8.20%) would analyse the walk percentage stat, and the league average for 2016 was 8.20%“
BB% – Walk Percentage (8.20%)
K%- Strikeout Percentage (21.1%): Both players have great plate discipline, demonstrated primarily by their fantastic K%. Both Ramirez and Lindor were able to control themselves at the plate, with Ramirez faring slightly better with controlling his strikeouts. For players that lack power hitting ability, this is the best way for them to generate value: consistently getting on base. Ramirez was able to near the league average in walk rate, while remaining far below the strikeout rate. Contact is his game; generic Spanish titles are his name.
ISO – Isolated Power (.162): This might be the “weakness” in Ramirez’s game. No one expects him to be a power hitter, but with a league average of 0.162 ISO for 2016, neither player is above a rating of modest power. This correlates with the lack of power hitting shown in home runs, since most of their runs must be generated through batting order, plate discipline and base running. What I’m trying to say is that he won’t be generating any powerful strokes, but his strokes get the job done.
BABIP – Batting Average on Balls in Play (.300)
OBP – On Base Percentage (.322)
wOBA – Weighted On Base Average (.318): Both players were able to shine in BABIP and OBP, which makes sense due to their low K% and league-average walk rate. Slashing well above the league average of 0.300, they have the ability to generate contact and get on base. For OBP, the league average was 0.322, which they both certainly topped. For wOBA, Ramirez in particular had an outstanding 2016 season, easily exceeding the league average. This is the strength of their game. They’ll get you on base, and have the ability to generate further stats from their plate discipline. Similar to many teenagers, they’ll get on base, but not necessarily for those extra bases.
wRC+ – Weighted Runs Created Plus (97): wRC+ is nullified a bit here, as both players had basically the same schedules and hitting parks, but it’s clear to see that Ramirez had an above average wRC+ on the season, exceeding the league average handily. While wRC+ does not control for position, it’s fairly easy to see that Ramirez has the advantage here, besting Lindor by 10 points. On an offense heavy team like Cleveland, it’s easy to see both players maintaining their above average wRC+ for the 2017 season. I mean, unless Encarnacion gets fat like Pablo Sandoval, their offensive potential has only increased.
BsR – Base Running Runs Above Average (-0.4): Hot damn, Ramirez had one hell of a BsR for 2016. While some regression is expected for 2017, he’s never had a BsR less than 2.4, even in small sample sizes. This ties into the best facet of Ramirez’s game: his base running. He generated 22 SB on 618 plate appearances, while being caught stealing only 7 times. Personally, I believe that 20 stolen bases are his floor. Steamer and Fans (10) both project him with 20+ steals on the year. Coupled with his ability to generate contact and get on base, Ramirez will have quite a few opportunities to return value on the base paths. Consider him a slower, less American-sounding Billy Hamilton.
Average Draft Position
Why did I do the comparison with Lindor? Well, Lindor currently has an ECR of #24, while Ramirez has an ECR of #132. The reason for the huge disparity is the aforementioned batting order and positional scarcity. Lindor is expected to slot third in the order, followed by Encarnacion and then Jose Ramirez/Michael Brantley (ha ha yeah right, shoulder issues)/Lonnie Chisenhall. Encarnacion is miles better than Napoli, and with Lindor’s ability to get on base, Lindor should return amazing wRC+ and RBI value.
However, this means that Ramirez can be drafted at a huge discount. While he may be batting 5th to 9th, Ramirez has the real ability to get onto base and generate runs/stolen bases once on base. He may not ever generate RBIs with his lack of power, but Ramirez actually had 60 extra-base hits in 2016, compared to Lindor’s 48. Furthermore, Ramirez is 24 years old and is only 14 months older than Lindor, suggesting he still has room to develop as a player.
Ramirez can be a useful utility player for many teams late in the draft. He’ll return a 0.300 average, generate 20 steals, and has the potential for 70+ runs. Coupled with the days that he hits towards the middle of the potent Indians lineup, he could easily hit 60+ RBIs on the year as well. Don’t go counting on him for power, but he could be a decent four category contributor with a very late draft price.
Over the years, I’ve started playing fantasy sports and paying more attention to fantasy than I probably should. I’m excited to join the multitude of writers on this humorous site for our ridiculous hobbies. Huzzah to the 2017 season, and my first article with Razzball!
You can follow Andrew on Twitter, @TFA_Andrew, if you like hearing about sports, fantasies, and fantasy sports.
