Max Ramirez

Ramirez's prospect status took a big step back as he struggled with both the bat and injuries at Triple-A Oklahoma City. His line of .238/.328/.342 in 75 games was a far cry from his .354/.450/.646 line in 69 games at Double-A in 2008. He struggled with wrist problems for much of the season, and deserves a mulligan based on that alone. While you could excuse the lack of power due to wrist problems, the 35:85 BB:K is a more troubling sign. His winter ball season has been a mixed bag as well (12 homers thru the first 52 games, but 58 K and a .233 average in just 189 at-bats). Rumored to be headed to Boston in a trade for Mike Lowell, Ramirez can't be dismissed due to the promise shown in 2008.

Ramirez hit .347/.439/.628 in 285 at-bats in the minors (tossing in 42 walks along the way), split between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Oklahoma City, and he could emerge as an option behind the plate as soon as this season if Texas is able to trade some of its catching depth. There was talk earlier in 2007 that Ramirez would move out from behind the plate, but Chris Davis' emergence at first base should put an end to that. There's little doubt that Ramirez's bat is major-league ready, and there's a spot open in the majors following the trade of Gerald Laird to the Tigers. He's continued to hit this winter, posting a nice .278/.366/.548 line in Venezuela through early December. If he can cut back on his strikeouts a bit, there's a ton to like given his home park.

Ramirez, traded to Texas during the season for Kenny Lofton, continues to hit well (.304/.419/.504, 74 walks in 391 at-bats split between two teams at High-A). His batting eye regressed a bit once in the Texas system, and he'll likely be moved from behind the plate with the likes of Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden ahead of him, but his bat projects well elsewhere if he can continue to progress.