PORT STREET SEA — Johan Ramirez felt his career needed a jump start after being dismal in the Pirates and White Sox bullpens last season.
The right-handed pitcher returned to the Dominican Republic and soon received a doctorate in the technique from his brother, a Hall of Famer and former successful major league pitcher.
Ramirez, 28, is feeling reinvigorated this spring as he looks to secure a spot on the Mets’ opening day roster. For that, he has Pedro and Ramon Martínez to thank.
“This is great. I’m excited to learn from these guys,” Ramirez said through an interpreter Saturday at Clover Park. “Learning from them has almost reinvigorated me and allowed me to reinvent my career. Just being able to incorporate special things that they were able to do into my own game.”
Ramirez’s agent, Fern Cuza, arranged the session. He also represented the Martinez brothers during their respective careers.
Ramirez said much of the coaching is just discussing how to handle certain situations.
But the Martinez brothers also shared their personal experiences.
“I was able to gain a lot and use it in the bullpen and in the game. It helped me see the game in a different way, and I think that helped me a lot,” Ramirez said. .
“Pedro and Ramon have helped a lot of young pitchers.” [in the Dominican] Please share your experience and knowledge with us. They both do it, but Ramon is there mainly because he’s there full time and he puts a lot of passion and love into what he’s doing. He’s really just trying to help young people move in the right direction and share his experiences. ”
After the session, Ramirez pitched in the Dominican Winter League and attracted the attention of the Mets. The Mets acquired him from the White Sox in December for $100,000.
He appeared in five Grapefruit League games with the Mets this spring, allowing no earned runs. In his last appearance Thursday against the Cardinals, he pitched two innings and struck out four batters.
“He’s a player coming into camp, and we knew he was going to be tough against right-handed pitchers,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s a sinker/slider, he’ll hit a ton of ground balls when attacking hitters, and now he uses the four-seam.” [fastball] We really like what we see. The fact that he pitched two innings the other day is also a plus. He’s in a good position now. ”
The fact that Ramirez doesn’t have any minor league options left will work in his favor for Opening Day. If Ramirez is not on the roster, the Mets will have to clear waivers to keep him.
Ramirez bounced back and forth between Triple-A and the major leagues with the Pirates last season before being claimed off waivers by the White Sox in September. Overall, he appeared in 31 games in the major leagues and posted a 4.23 ERA.
“After making the adjustments I felt were necessary, I ended up moving to another league,” Ramirez said. “I think when you’re working on something and you finally get into a rhythm, something happens and you get taken off and you lose that rhythm. That was a takeaway from last season.”
Buoyed by the confidence he gained from offseason workouts with the Martinez brothers, Ramirez would like to think he’s here to stay with the Mets.
“I feel really good,” Ramirez said. “I’ve put in a lot of effort and had some success this spring training, so I want to continue to go out there and do my best and I’m willing to do whatever the team wants me to do.”
