Prospect Ramirez tearing up Triple-A

MIAMI -- For Harold Ramirez, it’s a matter of when. The 24-year-old outfield prospect is tearing it up at Triple-A New Orleans, and the Marlins are certainly taking notice.

What the organization is waiting to decide is when is the right time to promote Ramirez to the big leagues, where he is a candidate to play either corner outfield spot.

So far, the Marlins are being patient, not wanting to rushing things for a player who is getting a taste of Triple-A for the first time.

Still, with the Marlins in need of some spark on offense, Ramirez’s production is glaring. He went 4-for-5 on Saturday night, raising his season average to .361. The native of Colombia also has a .415 on-base and .567 slugging percentage, to go with three home runs, 11 doubles and 12 RBIs.

“Harold is a guy we know about,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “When we signed him, we’ve seen some good things. He had a good spring. Obviously, once you’re [at Triple-A], you’re always an option.”

Ramirez has the closed-stance swing that the Marlins are looking for, and he shows the ability to make consistent contact. He’s struck out 17 times in 106 plate appearances. He’s not walking much, just five times, and he’s been hit by a pitch four times.

“He uses the whole field,” Mattingly said. “He’s kind of one of those guys who seems like he always could hit. I don’t know if he’s putting things together.”

A non-roster invitee in Spring Training, Ramirez spent last year at Double-A in the Blue Jays’ system, where he had a slash line of .320/.365/.471 with 11 home runs, 70 RBIs and 37 doubles. Ramirez was the 2018 Eastern League batting champion, and he was the batting champion in the Venezuelan Winter League (.381).

As a free agent, Ramirez was in high demand, with the Yankees among the clubs, that attempted to sign him.

Because of opportunity in Miami, Ramirez signed with the Marlins. He even remained in the organization at the end of Spring Training, deciding not to exercise his option to opt out.

The Marlins have been unsettled at corner outfield. Garrett Cooper (on the injured list with a bruised left hand), Peter O'Brien and Austin Dean have been used at various times in right field.

For now, right field is settled with Brian Anderson, who opened the season at third base.

In left field, Curtis Granderson has gotten most of the playing time. O’Brien was promoted on Saturday to also play a corner spot, after Cooper went on the IL for the second time.

“Obviously, he’s a guy who puts the ball in play hard,” Mattingly said. “He uses the whole field. He doesn’t seem to have any real fear out there. You don’t see him get overmatched.”