The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed Colombian outfielder Harold Ramirez, reports Ben Badler of Baseball America. The Pirates inked Ramirez for $1.05 M, which is their second biggest international amateur bonus, right behind the $2.6 M they gave Luis Heredia.
Today is the start of the international signing period, and it should be no surprise that Ramirez signed so quickly. We heard last month that the Pirates were a big player for his services, possibly offering more than most teams to get him. Ramirez is 16 years old, and has a thick 5′ 11″, 175 pound frame. Despite the frame, he’s a plus-plus runner, although he doesn’t really have the arm for center field, and there’s some debate over whether he has any power projection left in his frame.
Baseball America projected Ramirez to have the 15th biggest bonus in the international signing period this year.
