Ramiro Hernandez
Where did he come from?
Ramiro Hernandez was drafted by the Talons in the second round of the 2038 draft as the 50th overall pick. A right handed batter with prodigious power, Hernandez was best known in the franchise for his monster 6.1 WAR season for Single A Toledo as a 19 year old in 2040. Ramiro was called up to the bigs in Sept of 2042 but fared poorly. Another below average year in 2043 was beginning to cause concern in the front office about Hernandez' future.
How did he do this season?
2044 was slated as a platoon arrangement in right field between Hernandez, slated to bat VsLHP, and Jesus Valenzuela taking the majority of the playing time VsRHP. Valenzuela's poor April caused the club to elevate Hernandez to full time play, but eventually he began losing at bats to his counterpart as the season wore on. Hernandez would finish with 1.2 WAR in 110 games, with an OBP of less than .300. When he did play, Ramiro exhibited a taste of that big time power ended up with an OPS of .826 despite the low OBP.
What's going to happen to him?
Ramiro Hernandez has another season at minimum salary, so it's likely he will be the starting RF again for Phoenix, while sharing at least some playing time with Valenzuela.
Grade: C
