LATEST PG SHOWCASE REPORT
2006 National Showcase
Neil Ramirez is a 2007 right hand pitcher from Kempsville HS, residing in Virginia Beach, VA. Ramirez has a long, lanky, flexible, loose, lively body type on his very projectable 6'3" 190 lb. frame. He has a lot of room to fill out while maintaining his looseness. Ramirez entered the showcase regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in America and only enhanced his standing by being ranked #2 among PG National Top 85 pitchers. His stuff can be alive and electric, yet he really still has so much more development ahead of him. Ramirez pitches from a high 3/4 slot with a very loose and easy arm action. The comes out of his hand so easily it really doesn't look possible for him to throw as hard as he does. His rhythm is relaxed, with rhythm and fluidity... sort of an up, down and out delivery. Ramirez has a big fastball which can be classified as easy cheese. He topped at 95 and sat in the 91-94 range. Even at 93 mph he is sneaky because his delivery and low effort level just do not prepare the hitter to hit 92-94. Even better, Ramirez throws strikes with his fastball and by no means is he just a hard thrower. He seems capable of playing catch with a 90 mph fastball and throwing it where he wants. His breaking ball is still developing and on some days it flashes as an above average pitch, while on others it is still clearly a work in progress. That pitch is 74-77 mph with decent spin but he sometimes rushes it out of his hand. Ramirez also flashed a 81 mph change-up. He will enter the spring as one of the high school right handers on most crosschecker lists and has a chance to go in the top round of the draft. He is presently quite special in terms of ability and still can get so much better.