Angels’ Carlos Ramirez Suspended for 100 Games

February 21, 2012; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Carlos Ramirez (97) warms up during spring training at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Angels’ minor league catcher Carlos Ramirez has been suspended 100 games for his third positive test for a drug of abuse. The Tuscon, Arizona native earned his first suspension of 50 games in April of 2013 for his second positive test.

Ramirez, 25, was considered the Angels’ 30th best prospect going into 2013 by Angels blogger Garrett Wilson at Monkey with a Halo but his prospect status is probably starting to wear off thanks to the multiple suspensions.

Drafted in the eighth round of the 2009 draft, Ramirez managed to play in 48 games for Double-A Arkansas in 2013, hitting only .206/.301/.400. He’s shown some good power and a good throwing arm, catching 37% and 43% of base stealers in 2012 and 2013, respectively, both at the Double-A level.

His best season with the bat came in his first professional season with the Pioneer (Rookie) League Orem Owls in 2009. Ramirez hit .376/.500/.638 with 18 doubles and seven home runs in just 190 plate appearances before struggling somewhat in his first exposure to full-season ball with Class-A Cedar Rapids in 2010. Another good year followed in 2011 in which Ramirez excelled offensively, particularly when playing for the Angels’ High-A affiliate in Cedar Rapids, hitting 21 doubles and four home runs in 201 plate appearances.

Since playing in Double-A Arkansas, Ramirez has failed to find his groove, hitting just .205/.306/.319. He has a good eye at the plate and doesn’t strike out a lot. The “bright” side is that his BABIPs in two years of Double-A ball have been exceptionally low at .245 (2012) and .224 (2013). Ramirez will never be a high-BABIP player due to his slow speed and line-drive swing but with better luck, he could definitely have a serviceable bat to go along with his good defense . . . if he gets his act together.