| Wilkin Ramírez | |
|---|---|
Ramírez as a Toledo Mud Hen in 2009. |
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| Minnesota Twins – No. -- | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: October 25, 1985 Bani, Dominican Republic |
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| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| May 20, 2009 for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Career statistics (through 2010 season) |
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| Batting average | .364 |
| Home Runs | 1 |
| Runs batted in | 3 |
| Teams | |
Wilkin Emilio Ramírez (born October 25, 1985 in Bani, Dominican Republic) is Dominican professional baseball outfielder for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball.
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Ramírez signed with the Detroit Tigers at the age of 17 as a undrafted free agent in 2003. He began playing for the Gulf Coast Tigers in the Gulf Coast League in 2003, but missed the entire 2004 season due to a shoulder injury. In 2005 he joined the Low-A West Michigan Whitecaps in the Midwest League, where he established himself as a prospect by hitting 16 home runs with 21 stolen bases. Whitecaps manager Matt Walbeck praised Ramirez's work ethic: "He's got a very good attitude, he likes to play."[1] Baseball America named him the #5 prospect in the organization.[2] In 2006 he played for the Single A Lakeland Flying Tigers, where he dealt with injuries that shortened his season. In 2007 he split time between Lakeland and the Erie SeaWolves of the Double A Eastern League. 2008 saw Ramírez spend most of the season in Erie before earning a call-up to the Triple A Toledo Mud Hens. After the 2008 season Ramírez was named the 6th best Tigers prospect by Baseball America.[3]
In 2008, Ramírez participated in the All-Star Futures Game during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game weekend. He even participated in the 2010 Futures Game for the World team.
Ramírez has also participated in the Dominican Winter League.
On May 19, 2009, Ramírez was called up by the Tigers when Magglio Ordóñez was placed on the family medical emergency list. He made his Major League debut in the following series versus the Texas Rangers.[4] In his third major league at bat Ramírez homered off Texas starter Matt Harrison, making him the first Tigers player since Reggie Sanders (in 1974) whose first major league hit was a home run.[5]
Ramirez ultimately appeared in 15 games, garnering 11 at bats and hitting .364 with 1 home run and 3 runs batted in. He was used as a situational pinch runner and defensive replacement towards the end of the 2009 season.
Ramirez entered the 2010 season as a member of the Tigers 40 man roster. Baseball America had him listed as the 8th best prospect in the Tigers system.
On July 28, 2010 he was designated for assignment in order to make room on the 40 man roster for recent acquisition Jhonny Peralta.
On July 31, 2010, Ramirez was traded to the Atlanta Braves for a player to be named later.
He had his contract purchased by the Braves on May 22, 2011.[6]
Ramirez signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins on November 17, 2011.
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