What to Expect from Marlins Catcher Agustin Ramirez

The 23-year-old posted a 22.7% Whiff% rate on fastballs in Triple-A between 2024-25. He can catch up to velocity. And, he chased at pitches out of the zone at a 27% clip.

Defensively, Ramirez is somewhat of a question mark. He made 10 errors in the field in only 72 games last season. And in the upper Minors, opposing teams took advantage of him on the basepaths. He had a 9.8% CS% in 2024.

Ramirez saw time at first base in the Yankees system before the trade. But since he’s joined the Marlins, the 23-year-old has played either at catcher or as a DH.

Per reports, the Marlins are calling up Agustin Ramirez before their game on April 21 against the Reds.

Analysis

As of this writing, the Marlins have catchers Rob Brantly and Rule 5 Draft pick Liam Hicks on their 26-man roster. The team’s primary starter, Nick Fortes, is on the 10-day IL, while Brantly left the Marlins’ game on April 20 with shoulder discomfort.

Ramirez profiles as a clear hit-first catcher, very different compared to the defensive specialist in Fortes. And speaking of the latter, it’s unclear how long Fortes — out with an oblique strain — will be out.

That matters, as assuming Hicks and Ramirez are the two catchers for the Marlins in the interim, it’ll give Ramirez a crack to stick in Miami for the long term. However, Hicks has to stay on the Marlins’ 26-man roster for the team to retain his rights (assuming no trade with the Tigers is worked out). Once Fortes is ready, Ramirez could go back down.

The Marlins wanted to ensure Ramirez was defensively reliable before he was promoted. As noted earlier, that has been a concern. That bat, though, is very intriguing and may very well be his calling card at the MLB level.