Manny Ramirez discusses Lucas Ramirez turning pro instead of playing baseball at Tennessee
Manny Ramirez did what any father would do. He gave his son, Lucas, his input, then let him make his own decision. The dilemma: Signing with the Los Angeles Angels after being selected in the 17th round of the MLB Draft or going to play for Tennessee Baseball next season.
“I gave him some advice on my opinion,” Manny Ramirez said earlier this month, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel, “but at the end of the day, I wanted him to make a decision based on what he wanted to do.”
Lucas Ramirez had committed to Tennessee and head coach Tony Vitello in January 2023 and signed with the Vols in November. Ultimately, though, he chose professional baseball, signing with the Angels for $150,000 after being drafted at No. 502 overall by the Angels.
Tennessee’s No. 1-ranked signing class dented by MLB Draft
Ramirez was part of a Tennessee signing class that was ranked No. 1 overall but has been dented by the MLB Draft.
Shortstop Ty Southisene was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the fourth round and is going pro after signing for $1,000,000. Shortstop Trey Snyder, a fifth-round pick, signed with the New York Mets after getting $1,322,500, nearly triple the slot value for the No. 144 overall selection.
Niagara first basemen Eric Rataczak, a July commitment out of the NCAA Transfer Portal, is also going pro after being picked by the Miami Marlins in the 16th round.
Outfielder Ethan Wagner signed with the Houston Astros after being picked in the 17th round at No. 523 overall.
Lucas Ramirez was ranked No. 300 overall in class of 2024 by Perfect Game
The 6-foot-3, 198-pound Ramirez, out of American Heritage High School in Florida, was ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 300 overall prospect in his recruiting class and was ranked No. 56 among outfielders.
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“Big and strong athletic build with room to get stronger,” Perfect Game wrote of Ramirez in its Showcase Report. “Left handed hitter, hits from a wide base with limited lower half shift into contact, has a lofted up hill swing with lots of strength behind it, rotational swing that can more from his lower half, can impact the ball hard when everything comes together. 6.70 runner in the sixty. Primary outfielder on defense, has a long and loose arm action with some carry to his throws, quick release with some idea on his footwork.”
Ramirez committed to Tennessee after a visit to Knoxville alongside his father during a Tennessee Football weekend.
“The campus was crazy,” Manny Ramirez said. “We went to the football game and it was unbelievable. While we were there the coaching staff was awesome. They were human and Vitello was awesome.”
“(Choosing Tennessee) was easy,” Manny Ramirez added. “We knew that Tennessee was one of the best schools. They have great coaches involved.”
