FTB Spotlight – Jorge Ramirez

High School – Osceola

Grad year – 2017

FTB – He is entering his 6th season with FTB

 

Hardworking, dedicated, a student of the game: those are some of the things that I think of when I am describing Jorge Ramirez.  For a long time Jorge could hit.  I heard stories about him when he was in middle school that he could dominate a game by the things he did in the box.  When I first watched him as an 8th grader, the rumors were confirmed.  This kid swings a heavy barrel.  But, I saw him workout at the catching position and then sat on him in game.  I remember thinking he would have to do some work on his energy and body to stay behind the plate.  Let’s just say, a lot can change and a lot can stay the same in three years. 

 

Jorge is now a strongly built backstop, that has transformed his body into a prototypical catchers frame.  He always showed soft hands behind the plate, even at a young age.  Now he uses those soft hands and worked tirelessly to make his feet and release, quicker.  As he has worked to transform himself into an athlete, it has come hand-in-hand with his energy.  He now shows a high motor and leadership skills to be a guy that can firmly handle a pitching staff.  Getting more reps he is learning to set up hitters with his pitch calling ability.  He is now a well-rounded catcher that will be a clubhouse leader at the next level. 

 

Jorge has not forgotten about the other tool that had people talking about him at an early age.  This Fall at the Perfect Game Underclass World Championship Jorge had a really strong showing with a .500 OBP and a 1.000 OPS with 6 RBIs.  He hit a no doubt homerun in the second round of the playoffs that gave FTB a lead they would not relinquish.  All of the little things he did over that 5 day period in October was one of the major puzzle pieces that helped FTB Black walked away with Championship Rings. 

 

Always a hitter, you can now call him well rounded.  Any positive superlative that you can say about Jorge is well deserved.