ChiSox Sign Cuban Slugger Ramirez

[nyyfan]

"White Sox Finally Reel One In, Sign Cuban Slugger, Ramirez" (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10541094)

What do White Sox Fans think about this signing?

[AutoMick]

Well let's see what we really got here??

Cuba's top homerun hitter this year with 20??

Baseball America said that he was Major League ready, yet I also read that Cuban baseball is similar to Class-A short season ball here in the U.S., so is he ML ready???

There has to be something here since the Yankees, Red Sox, Indians, Cubs, Padres, White Sox and others were all interested in acquiring him. His ability to play second, shortstop, third and centerfield makes him appear to be if nothing else a "super-sub". I do think he will be given every chance to become a starter but wouldn't be surprised if the White Sox don't decide to let him get accumated to "American baseball" by spending a few months in the farm system. A good spring training would go along way with his playing time in the bigs as would the moving of Joe Crede and/or Juan Uribe.

[metsbaseball809]

[QUOTE=AutoMick;1076016]Well let's see what we really got here??


Cuban baseball is similar to Class-A short season ball here in the U.S., so is he ML ready???

it cant be on a class a short season level its problably between doubleA and
tripleA level

[CHI-TOWN SOX 2005]

I don't know what to expect. I guess we really had no other choice with the outfield position.

[Cubano100%]

Guys,

As my nickname implies, I am Cuban. I follow Cuban baseball extensively and I even watch Cuban baseball from the USA. Alexei is not a slugguer. It is true he was the home run leader last season. However, there are players that hit a lot of HR in any given season like Braddy Anderson. Alexei is a very good hitter. If the Chi Sox use him at 2B, then his HR production will look for this position. If the Chi Sox use him at CF and/or LF, his HR production won't be great. Alexei is a good player that can contribute to the team that has some weak spots. His is does not have a strong body, but this can be misleading.


The Cuban season is no A level. There are not any player as good as Jose Contreras, Livan Hernandez, Orlando Hernandez, Kendry Morales, etc in A ball. There is a Cuban pitcher name Hassan Pena in the New York-Penn league. This is the same league that Baseball Prospectus said is same level as the Cuban league. Pena was a reliever with Industriales in Cuba and was the number one starter for Vermont. Most Cubans defectors are place in A advanced and move quickly. Remember that teams placed them in A ball because they waste up to 2-3 years in a third country trying to obtain legal status so they can sign.

[Lprof]

[QUOTE=AutoMick;1076016]Well let's see what we really got here??


Cuban baseball is similar to Class-A short season ball here in the U.S., so is he ML ready???

it cant be on a class a short season level its problably between doubleA and
tripleA level
I suppose it's better than nothing, but I hope KW doesn't think this does it. It really looks like we are far behind at least two and probably more teams in the division. I think most fans are ignoring the serious starting pitching issues. Maybe Jerry Koosman is still available.