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Baltimore Orioles: Yefry Ramirez To Start Against Minnesota Twins

By Nick Stevens

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 31: Relief pitcher Yefry Ramirez #32 of the Baltimore Orioles throws in the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 31: Relief pitcher Yefry Ramirez #32 of the Baltimore Orioles throws in the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Orioles kick off their Grapefruit League schedule on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins.

It may be just the first game of a long list of practice games, but the Baltimore Orioles will take the field against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon at 1 PM, televised live on MASN as part of their 2019 spring training coverage. As I stare at six+ inches of snow outside my office window right now, I’ll gladly take any sort of baseball game to take my mind to a warmer place.

Roch Kubatko was the first to announce that manager Brandon Hyde is giving the ball to Yefry Ramirez in Saturday’s Grapefruit League opener, giving the 25-year-old, second-year man first crack at making a positive impression on his new coaching staff.

Ramirez entered camp in competition for what is likely just one open spot in the 2019 Baltimore Orioles rotation. Dylan Bundy, Alex Cobb, and Andrew Cashner figure to have spots locked up, while Nate Karns has the inside lane in acquiring the fourth spot, as long as he makes it through spring training healthy.

This leaves a long list of young pitchers vying for the fifth and final rotation spot, with Ramirez finding his name near the top of the list as a favorite for this roster spot. David Hess, John Means, Josh Rogers, and others also find themselves in the mix this spring.

Ramirez made his MLB debut last season, making 12 starts and 17 appearances in total. His success in AAA didn’t initially translate to the major leagues, struggling his way to a 1-8 record and 5.92 ERA in his debut.

The tools are there, including the ability to miss bats and throw a beautiful changeup, but Ramirez struggled with his command and keeping the ball in the ballpark in 2018, two of the more noticeable issues he will need to improve this spring.

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In a recent story by Roch Kubatko on MASNsports.com, Ramirez proclaimed, “I feel very comfortable right now. Definitely I can enjoy the results of the hard work that I put in. I’m looking forward to that start.” One difference you may see in Ramirez is a slight adjustment in his mechanics, as he works on developing into a fixture within a major league rotation. One such change being “To stop pulling myself toward first base and more toward home plate,” said Ramirez in the same Kubatko report.

The advanced metrics on Ramirez weren’t terrible in 2018. He allowed a hard-hit rate which was slightly below league average and he was effective at limiting contact. Unfortunately, when hitters did make contact it was barrelled and hit in the air. Ramirez produced a groundball rate of just 36.5%, nearly 10% below league-average. A more advanced slider may help turn these numbers around a bit.

Next. Orioles Make Another Waiver Claim, Adding LHP to Bullpen Mix. dark

Who are you excited to get a look at this spring? Is there a veteran who you think will turn it around in 2019 or a particular rookie you’re anxious to see take off? Let us know, O’s fans.

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