Blue Jays: Getting to Know Prospects Harold Ramirez, Reese McGuire

The Toronto Blue Jays added a pair of high-level prospects to their farm system at the MLB Trade Deadline in Harold Ramirez and Reese McGuire. Here’s our skinny on each player.

Harold Ramirez

Age: 21
Position: Outfielder
Height: 5-foot-10 | Weight: 220 pounds
Stats:

AB

R

H

2B

3B

HR

RBI

BB

SO

SB

CS

AVG

OBP

SLG

OPS

Altoona Curve (AA)

98

379591161672492166710.306.354.401

.755

The Skinny: Arguably the best pure hitter in the Pirates entire system, Ramirez instantly vaults into the Blue Jays top five prospects. While not a good fielder and with marginal power, he is an exceptional hitter for average, with his career slash line reading .304/.362/.409 in 1298 at-bats.

More from Tip of the Tower

• Cam Phillips making his mark on Toronto Argonauts offence
• Toronto Argonauts: 4 storylines ahead of matchup against Redblacks
• Federico Bernardeschi ready for new challenge with Toronto FC
• Toronto Argonauts overcome Roughriders in entertaining Touchdown Atlantic
• Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith

As a hitter, the 21-year old has the ability to spray the ball all over the field, has solid plate discipline, and doesn’t swing and miss a lot (a valuable commodity to stats people). However, while he may be a great hitter for average, he does not have much pop in his bat, which is evident by his two home runs in nearly 100 games this season.

While the Columbia native’s power should improve slightly with added strength, I still can’t see him hitting more than 15-17 home runs. Regardless, with above average speed and a terrific bat that rarely swings and misses, he should have no problems being a major league caliber outfielder and who could settle into a corner outfield platoon role.

Ramirez may be able to start in a pinch, but I wouldn’t expect him to be anything over a .285 hitter with 50 RBI’s in any given season. Look for him to be in the majors by 2017 due to his bat – when is unknown, but given the outfield uncertainty, it very well could be sooner than later.

Prospect Rankings:

Baseball America’s No. 95 Prospect

ESPN Pittsburgh Pirates No. 6 Prospect

MLB.com Pittsburgh Pirates No. 9 Prospect

Baseball America Pittsburgh Pirates No. 5 Prospect

Baseball Prospectus Pittsburgh Pirates No. 6 Prospect

Reese McGuire

Age: 21
Position: Catcher
Height: 5-foot-11 | Weight: 215 pounds
Stats:

The Skinny: Yet another prospect who should settle in as a top 10 prospect for the Blue Jays, McGuire is an elite defensive catcher. If his offensive game rounds out, he has the ability to be an average starter, or a very talented back-up catcher.

More from Toronto Blue Jays

• Blue Jays avoid disaster as Kevin Gausman injury not serious
• Blue Jays interested in outfielder Andrew Benintendi
• Blue Jays hope fresh start for Sergio Romo boosts bullpen
• Blue Jays need to have a break from Yusei Kikuchi
• Blue Jays: Nate Pearson suffers yet another setback

Lauded for his defensive game, framing ability and aptitude to handle a staff, the 2013 first round draft pick should be a major leaguer on his defensive game alone. However, despite being arguably the best defensive catching prospect in the game, his offense leaves a lot to be desired.

Although McGuire doesn’t strike out at all and has decent plate discipline, his low bat speed causes for weak contact. While he has the ability to spray the ball all over the field, he isn’t viewed as a long-term starter mainly due to his offensive game, but who knows what will happen moving forward.

As it stands now, the Seattle, Washington native should be in the discussion for taking Josh Thole’s roster spot next year, mainly due to his defensive game. However, if he can also improve on his offense, the Blue Jays may have found their future at the catcher position.

Next: Tulowitzki's Health, Donaldson's Hamstring, Sanchez to Bullpen

Prospect Rankings:

Baseball Prospectus Pittsburgh Pirates No. 7 Prospect

Baseball America Pittsburgh Pirates No. 5 Prospect

MLB.com Pittsburgh Pirates No. 8 Prospect

ESPN Pittsburgh Pirates No. 10 Prospect