By Jim Callis
November 27, 2002

Want More? Does 10 prospects per team only whet your appetite? How does 30 sound? If you want the more of in-depth information you're finding here on three times as many players, Baseball America's 2003 Prospect Handbook is for you.

1. Hanley Ramirez, ss

Age: 19. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 170. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2000. Signed by: Levy Ochoa/Julian Camilo.

Background: Ramirez rocketed from obscurity to the top of the list over the course of the summer. In his 2001 pro debut, he led Boston’s Rookie-level Dominican Summer League affiliate with a .345 average and earned the organization’s player of the year award for that club, but otherwise escaped attention. After arriving in the United States, he didn’t stay anonymous for long. Managers rated him the best prospect in both the Rookie-level Gulf Coast and the short-season New York-Penn leagues, and he led the GCL in slugging percentage. Though it’s risky to place labels on a player before he even reaches full-season ball, managers and scouts already are comparing Ramirez to such players as Nomar Garciaparra, Vladimir Guerrero, Alex Rodriguez and Alfonso Soriano. The best parallel at this point is Soriano.

Strengths: Ramirez is a legitimate five-tool shortstop who has instincts to go with his athletic talents. Signed as a switch-hitter, he was so advanced from the right side that he had no need to hit lefthanded. Ramirez has quick hands and the ball jumps off his bat. Against Mets first-round pick Scott Kazmir, he drilled a 96 mph fastball off the wall. Ramirez recognizes pitches, can hit the breaking ball and uses the whole field. He’s mechanically sound and doesn’t chase pitches out of the strike zone. Ramirez projects to be a plus hitter for both average and power in the big leagues; he’s also an above-average runner. Defensively, he has soft hands and supplements an average arm with a quick release. His footwork improved over the course of the season.

Weaknesses: The Red Sox have some concerns that the hype has come too fast for Ramirez, who was sent home early from instructional league for disciplinary reasons. He knows he’s good, and can be immature and selfish. While he has lots of potential, he’ll need to keep working hard to realize it. Ramirez rarely swings and misses, to the detriment of working deep counts and drawing walks.

The Future: Though Boston has no need to rush him, Ramirez will determine how much time he needs in the minors. He’ll start 2003 at low Class A Augusta but could force a midseason promotion if he continues to dominate.

2002 Club (Class)	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
GCL Red Sox (R)	.341	.402	.555	164	29	56	11	3	6	26	16	15	8
Lowell (A)	.371	.400	.536	97	17	36	9	2	1	19	4	14	4