Baseball America released their top 20 prospects for the New York-Penn League, and for the second time this year the Pirates have a player at the top of the list. Last week Austin Meadows was at the top of the GCL top 20. This time it’s Harold Ramirez who is at the top of the NYPL list.
Ramirez put up an impressive .285/.354/.409 line in 274 at-bats in the very pitcher friendly NYPL. When he was signed there were scouts who questioned his ability to hit for power, although he has five homers, which is a good total for the league. Ramirez also showed off his speed with 23 stolen bases. BA noted his premium speed, and said that he’s an aggressive defender in center field with good range and plenty of arm strength. They also noted that opposing managers lauded his two strike approach.
Ramirez was the only prospect from the Pirates on the list. Here are the Pirates from previous years in the NYPL top 20. Ramirez is only the second player to be ranked in the top five, and the first in this period to be ranked first overall in the NYPL.
2012: Luis Heredia (2), Barrett Barnes (10), Clay Holmes (15),
2011: Nick Kingham (9), Alex Dickerson (11)
2010: Zack Von Rosenberg (6), Colton Cain (10), Zack Dodson (17)
2009: Vic Black (6)
2008: Chase d’Arnaud (18)
