By: Jeremy Lawless

Over the past 2 games the Indians have had clutch hitting from a not-so-well known batter, Harold Ramirez.

Harold has made the most of his recent recall and in his 2 games and 9 AB’s is hitting .444 with 2 Runs scored, 2 Doubles and 2 RBI’s against the first place (now tied with CWS) Royals. Those 2 RBI’s were the game tying and game winning (at the time) runs for the Indians as they now lead the 4 game set 2-0 in KC.

Some of you may be asking yourself … who in the hell is that?

Harold Ramirez is a 26 year old outfielder that the Indians claimed off of waivers on February 24th, 2021. He appeared in 10 Spring Training games for the Indians with 18 AB’s and a .167 average and was optioned to the Columbus Clippers on March 26th, 2021. Harold was recalled to the Indians on May 3rd, 2021 and Daniel Johnson was optioned back to Columbus following an 0-5 with 5 strikeout performance vs. Chicago.

The immediate return on investment is promising, especially as the Indians try to figure out a competitive lineup to run out there against left-handed pitchers. Could the Indians have found their patented “diamond in the rough”? Someone who will produce like the Rajai Davis’, Mike Napoli’s or even Jason Giambi’s of the past?

How were we able to claim him off waivers and where did he come from?

Ramirez was signed as an International Free Agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011. He spent his time in Gulf Coast leagues and the minors before making the All-Star team in 2016 at Double-A Altoona.

On August 16th, 2016 he was traded, along with Fransisco Liriano and Reese McGuire to the Toronto Blue Jays for Drew Hutchinson. Harold only played one game for Double-A New Hampshire before finding himself on the Disabled List for the remainder of 2016. 

On November 2, 2018 Harold elected to become a Free-Agent and was signed to a Minor League deal on November 26th, 2018 by the Miami Marlins. He began 2019 with the New Orleans Baby Cakes but was recalled to the Marlins on May 11th, 2019.

Ramirez made his MLB debut that same day and his first professional hit was a single off of Edwin Diaz of the New York Mets. He went on to reach base safely in 18 of his 19 first MLB games. He led the Marlins in walk off hits including two home runs on August 1 and August 29th respectively. In 2019, Harold would be featured hitting cleanup in the Marlins lineup where he had a line of .276/.312/.416/.728 with 54R/20 2B/3 3B/11 HR/ 50 RBI.

In 2019, he hit .263 against LHP and .283 against RHP and .289 with RISP.

Remember the Miami COVID-19 debacle of 2020? Harold was one of the players that tested positive before the season started in Philadelphia and 2020 never got going for him as he dealt with medical issues and Hamstring strains. Ramirez only had 10 at-bats for the Marlins in 2020 with just a pair of singles to show for it. 

On February 17, 2021 The Marlins Designated him for assignment.

And here we are. 

Perhaps Harold Ramirez can resurrect his career here with the Indians as the team searches wherever it can to provide stability in a historically volatile position, the outfield.