FORT MYERS, FLA - Twins prospect Wilson Ramos’ offensive skills are highly touted, but his ability behind the plate is getting him just as much attention.
In the midst of the mammoth Joe Mauer contract negotiations, the 22-year-old catcher is quietly doing his job to develop and stay focused.
While he has excellent defensive ability at his position, the goal now is to improve a crucial skill: calling a game.
“We’re working on the finer points of the game at this level and his game calling is one of the things we’ve talked with him about,” said Twins Bench Coach Steve Liddle. “At this level it’s about not dropping balls and not being lazy behind the plate.”
Ramos has exhibited great power with the bat, though his progress was slowed by a hamstring injury in 2009. In 2008 at High-A Fort Myers, he established himself as an elite line-drive hitter.
He also caught a career high 80 games that season. Despite the injury in 2009, he caught 45 games at Double-A New Britain, impressing the Twins with his ability to bounce back quickly.
“With an arm like that, he has so much natural strength that you have to really teach him how to use it properly,” said Twins Farm Director Jim Rantz. “He’s learning how to utilize that strength and not overdo it when he’s making a play.”
Although he is still a bit raw with the bat, for Ramos, his work behind the plate is the major focus.
“I’m not working as much with my bat,” he said. “I know the main thing is my defense. It takes discipline to be a good catcher.”
While he is tremendously strong physically, learning patience and how to handle his pitchers is a big part of his development process right now.
“He’s blessed with a strong arm, but up here at [the big league] level it’s more about concentrating on every pitch,” Liddle said.
Mike Radcliff, the Twins Vice President of Player Personnel agrees and has confidence in Ramos’ capacity to learn the most important aspects of being a Major League catcher, and all the responsibility that comes with that.
“Handling a Major League pitching staff, being an on-field leader and being efficient with his footwork and catching mechanics will naturally improve as he becomes more comfortable with the higher level of competition.”
“I’m feeling more comfortable,” Ramos said. “I try to learn about each pitcher I work with so I know how they work.”
Though game-calling is something Ramos needs more time to develop, the Twins don’t appear to have any doubts about his ability to mature in that area.
“We are very pleased with his progress/status to date. We are not concerned with his game-calling but it is an area where he can and will improve,” Radcliff said.
And there’s one awfully smart thing Ramos does that could certainly prove valuable in his efforts to become a sound defensive catcher.
“Everyday I ask Joe something.”
Jessica is a freelance baseball writer. You can follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/heelsonthefield.