BIG HITTER: Senior Nick Ramirez has a .408 batting average this season, and he is Katella's all-time leader in home runs and RBIs. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR OCVARSITY.COM Related |
Katella's Ramirez makes game look easy
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The senior doesn't mind the hard work it takes to be a star at the plate and on the mound.
ANAHEIM- One look at Katella's Nick Ramirez (click here to see stats) and you would think the game of baseball has come easily for him.
Opponents might think it isn't fair for someone to be this good. The senior first baseman can hit (.408 average despite being pitched around in the lineup) and he can pitch (6-1, 1.45 ERA).
He has a scholarship waiting for him with Cal State Fullerton, his dream school. He is Katella's all-time leader in home runs, doubles and RBIs.
Is this fair?
He is on his way to possibly a second consecutive Empire League MVP selection and will be one of several players up for consideration for the Register's Player of the Year award.
However, in his case, looks are deceiving. Ramirez's road has been anything but easy. He is the definition of hard work and perseverance.
“His work ethic is amazing,” Katella coach Jimmy Valverde said. “He has worked extremely hard to get to where he is now.
“He's the hardest working player on the team. He has a great passion that all the great ones have.”
If it is taking extra batting practice on an off day or working on his pitching mechanics, Ramirez is sharpening his tools in preparation for his next greatest challenge. And, of course, it is out there.
Ramirez isn't driven by personal statistics. The guy with the big numbers is not necessarily the best leader.
He learned that during his first season at Katella.
Ramirez arrived one year after the Knights won the CIF-Southern Section 2004 Division III title.
It was a year to remember.
“The (team) chemistry was bad,” he said. “It was a rough year; I think we won one game.”
Despite the losing, Ramirez learned valuable lessons that have helped develop his leadership skills.
“I learned that you need your teammates,” he said. “You can play this game as an individual, but you're not going to progress as a team. You need your teammates to back you up and play defense and to be there for you.”
Ramirez is now in his third year as captain of the Knights.
“He has really matured,” his father, Randy, said. “He played this summer in five events against some of the top-ranked kids and that has helped raise his game.”
Randy played five years in the Seattle Mariners organization (1982-87). He pitched at Katella and Long Beach State. He offered Nick some valuable insight on what it takes to become a good teammate.
“All you control is yourself and be an example to the team,” he said. “As long as you carry yourself and be the leader, hopefully it will rub off and create a better environment.”
It's working.
Katella is 17-5 overall and 9-1 in the Empire League and ranked eighth in the county.
“He comes out here and wants to play baseball. He's been the captain for three years,” senior pitcher Stephan Kungl said. “He has fun and he works hard.
“You can't ask for anything more.”
The dreams of being a Titan began when Ramirez was in the sixth grade when he started attending games.
He received scholarship offers last year from San Diego State, Arizona State and UC Irvine.
College scouts from around the country started attending his games last year. Top programs like Arizona, Arizona State and Miami. But not the Titans, until.....
“One of the Fullerton scouts came up to me before a game (last year),” Randy Ramirez said. “And he asked me which schools are looking at Nick. I told him, ‘They all are, except you.'”
Nick went out and gave them a reason to take notice. He went 3 for 3 at the plate and pitched a no-hitter.
“We started talking to them (Fullerton) the next week,” he said. Ramirez later verbally committed, even though his dad wanted him to follow in his footsteps and become a 49er.
Fullerton coach Dave Serrano is eagerly awaiting his arrival.
“Our biggest confusion with Nick is we don't know what he's going to be better at,” Serrano said. “Originally, when we first saw him, we saw him (next year) as a first baseman. Then, the more we've seen him pitch, and left-handed pitching is such a premium, there's no doubt that he can help us that way, too.
“His future is very bright.”
Ramirez soon will be faced with one of his biggest decisions.
The baseball entry draft begins June 5. Ramirez, just like several other players, will be faced with the call of signing to expedite his major league dream or becoming a Titan.
According to his father, Ramirez could be taken anywhere in the first six rounds. Players will have until Aug. 15 to sign with their major league teams.
“If he wants to go to school, he can step in to Fullerton and play right away,” Katella assistant coach Mike Martinez said. “That's going to be his decision. I've given him my feedback about the experiences that I had playing both.
Martinez played at Cal State Fullerton (2000-04) before spending three years in the New York Yankees organization.
“It is a big difference (playing pro ball and college ball),” Martinez said. “I think he's going to be ready either way.”
Ramirez said that the dollar amount will “have to be right” for him to sign. Until then, he still has work to do.
“My motivation is to get ready for the draft and college next year,” he said. “And to make myself a better player and one day achieve the dream of playing in the majors.”
Either way, he's looking forward to the challenge.
>>Click here to see Ramirez's stats
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
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