Keep Max Ramirez in Texas!

The Texas Rangers have designated right-handed hitting catcher Max Ramirez for assignment. This is not a Rangers blog so no, you’re not in the wrong place. I’m simply reporting the transaction and not-so-silently hoping the Astros place a claim on him so he can stay in the great state of Texas. In 115 major league at-bats Ramirez has hit .217/.345/.370. Outside the OBP this line doesn’t look spectacular but it’s a very small sample size. And in a much larger sample, his minor league career, he holds a line of .298/.396/.476.

Ramirez’ minor league success did not come as a surprise as Baseball America named him the #84 prospect in baseball prior to the 2009 season. The catcher is entering just his 26-yr old season and still has a chance to prove himself as a great major league player. He’d be the perfect complement to the left-hitting Jason Castro who enters 2011 the Astros starter behind the plate. Houston paid $1,000,000 for Humberto Quintero to serve this roll as J.R. Towles has worn out his welcome in Houston. Even if Towles comes around, you can’t have too many above-average catchers in your system. Ramirez would be a good fit.