MLB Top Prospect Watch: Beyond Agustín Ramírez’s Marlins Debut

Glimpse of the Future

Ramírez has long been touted as a bat-first catcher, and his debut confirmed those expectations. His compact swing and aggressive approach looked MLB-ready, and it was clear the moment wasn’t too big for him. Marlins fans got a glimpse of what scouts have raved about: a polished hitter with strong plate presence and emerging power. While one game doesn’t guarantee success, Ramírez’s poise and performance are an encouraging sign.

Ramírez has long been touted as a bat-first catcher, and his debut confirmed those expectations. His compact swing and aggressive approach looked MLB-ready, and it was clear the moment wasn’t too big for him. Marlins fans got a glimpse of what scouts have raved about: a polished hitter with strong plate presence and emerging power. While one game doesn’t guarantee success, Ramírez’s poise and performance are an encouraging sign.

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Rough Edges Behind the Plate

While Ramírez impressed at the plate, his defense showed room for growth. He allowed two stolen bases, a passed ball, and a wild pitch in his debut. That said, he was also behind the dish for Max Meyer’s 14-strikeout performance, guiding the pitching staff to a one-walk game. His pitch calling and rapport with the staff shouldn’t be overlooked, especially in a game where the Marlins’ pitchers dominated.

There’s still work to do with his receiving and transfer mechanics. His agility remains limited, and he looked a step slow on several plays. However, his arm is considered above average, and if he can improve the quickness of his throws and refine his footwork, there's a path to competence behind the plate. The Marlins will likely prioritize his defensive development, but for now, his offensive upside is what keeps him on the radar.

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A Catcher Worth Watching

There are no illusions about Ramírez becoming an elite defender. His future success hinges on his ability to hit. Fortunately for the Marlins, he seems to be trending in the right direction. With improved swing mechanics and better plate discipline—he's trimmed his chase rate and walked more often—he offers tantalizing upside at a position that lacks offensive depth league-wide.

Listed at 6-foot, 210 pounds, Ramírez carries a presence at the plate and a mindset to match. He even swiped 18 bases on 20 attempts before his promotion, hinting at sneaky athleticism. The Marlins believe he can grow into an everyday catcher role, and if he can find just enough polish behind the plate, his bat could carry him to long-term success. Monday was just the beginning, and all signs point to Agustín Ramírez being a name to remember in South Florida.

A Bat-First Backstop With Upside

Ramírez has never been shy with the bat. Across three levels in 2023, he posted a 123 wRC+, showcasing consistent production and raw power. In 2024, before being acquired in the Jazz Chisholm Jr. trade, he crushed Double-A pitching, finishing with a higher home run total than the previous year in just 72 games. His 90th percentile exit velocity of 108 mph underlines his ability to barrel up fastballs, particularly with an OPS over 1.100 against four-seamers through his first 90 games this year.

The challenge is converting that raw power into more game results. His swing path is relatively flat, producing more grounders than desired. He’s made progress lifting the ball, especially against heaters, but adjusting his launch angle against breaking balls remains key. If he can elevate consistently and improve versus off-speed pitches, Ramírez could tap into 30-homer potential.

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Glimpse of the Future

Ramírez has long been touted as a bat-first catcher, and his debut confirmed those expectations. His compact swing and aggressive approach looked MLB-ready, and it was clear the moment wasn’t too big for him. Marlins fans got a glimpse of what scouts have raved about: a polished hitter with strong plate presence and emerging power. While one game doesn’t guarantee success, Ramírez’s poise and performance are an encouraging sign.

Ramírez has long been touted as a bat-first catcher, and his debut confirmed those expectations. His compact swing and aggressive approach looked MLB-ready, and it was clear the moment wasn’t too big for him. Marlins fans got a glimpse of what scouts have raved about: a polished hitter with strong plate presence and emerging power. While one game doesn’t guarantee success, Ramírez’s poise and performance are an encouraging sign.

For all your MLB deep dives check out our friends at Just Baseball.