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Miami Marlins Player Spotlight: The Closer, A.J. Ramos

By Andrew Guthart

Apr 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher AJ Ramos (44) throws to the Washington Nationals during the tenth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher AJ Ramos (44) throws to the Washington Nationals during the tenth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Getting the final three outs of a game can be difficult at times. The Miami Marlins have a guy who ranks with the best in doing so.

The Miami Marlins drafted A.J. Ramos back in 2009 in the 21st round of the Amateur draft. He was a stud for Texas Tech, where he’s from.

Ramos was never a big time star but continuously worked his butt off and got outs. Whether it was in the minors or the Marlins bullpen, he had to climb the ladder.

Ramos got his first opportunity to be the Marlins closer in 2015 and hasn’t looked back. When Steve Cishek was scuffling, Ramos who was the set up guy took reigns of the closer role.

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He completed 32 saves out of 38 opportunities in his first season as the closer. His ERA though was a minuscule 2.30 in 2015, his career best so far.

Last year was his first full season as the Marlins closer. It was also his first season as an MLB all-star. He registered 40 saves out of 43 opportunities. Ramos ranked 6th in saves last year.

His ERA was also a consistent 2.81. This year Ramos is yet to blow a save in four opportunities and has an ERA at 2.77. Finding a good closer is hard to find in baseball.

A team like the Washington Nationals would kill to have a mainstay in the back of their bullpen like Ramos. Also out of all the pen troubles this year, Ramos is yet to have those troubles.

Closers are a premium.

The Marlins might be primed to trade some guys away this off-season but should hang on to Ramos no matter what. It’s a privilege to have a great closer now a days and they shouldn’t mess it up.

He’s severely underpaid compared to a Mark Melancon or Kenley Jansen. It would suit the Marlins to keep him. Ramos is a guy who doesn’t have gifted physical tools.

At only 5’10, his fastball only tops out at 93. Not very closer like. However, unlike other closers, Ramos uses four pitches, a fastball, a slider, a curve and a change-up.

Next: Miami Marlins better off with Jarlin Garcia in the rotation

This makes him a rare case because he gets his outs like a starter would. It’s once again a case or Ramos having to work hard and do something different to get to where he is.

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