José Ramos is still chasing that elusive first taste of the big leagues. After spending his entire professional career in the Dodgers organization, the 25-year-old outfielder is now with the Mets on a minor league deal, likely heading to Triple-A Syracuse to open the season. But don’t count him out just yet-his journey has been full of ups, downs, and flashes of the kind of power-speed combo teams covet in an outfielder.
Signed by the Dodgers out of Panama back in 2018, Ramos began his pro career in the Dominican Summer League, where he posted a modest .739 OPS. Like every other minor leaguer, he lost the 2020 season to the pandemic shutdown, but he came back in 2021 with a vengeance. Splitting time between Rookie and Single-A ball, Ramos slashed .329/.396/.576 with 11 home runs in just 288 plate appearances-a breakout year that put him firmly on the radar.
But as he climbed the ladder in the Dodgers’ system, the results became more uneven. In 2022, Ramos held his own across Single-A and High-A with an .818 OPS.
The following season at Double-A, though, his production dipped to a .742 OPS. The Dodgers had him repeat the level in 2024, hoping he’d turn the corner, but instead, things trended in the wrong direction-he hit just .221 with a .388 slugging percentage.
He started 2025 back in Double-A, and while he did pop 10 home runs in 58 games, his OPS sat at a disappointing .688.
Still, in July of last year, the Dodgers gave him a shot at Triple-A. Whether it was the change in scenery or the hitter-friendly parks of the Pacific Coast League, something clicked. Ramos hit .295/.359/.557 with eight home runs in 167 plate appearances-a strong finish that reminded everyone of the upside he flashed earlier in his career.
Defensively, Ramos brings some versatility to the table. While he’s logged most of his innings in center field, he’s also spent time in both corners. That flexibility could be key in his path to the majors, especially given the current state of the Mets’ outfield.
Let’s be honest-there are question marks all over the Mets’ outfield depth chart. Luis Robert Jr. is a dynamic talent when healthy, but durability has been an issue.
Tyrone Taylor struggled at the plate last season, and while there’s plenty of optimism around Carson Benge, he’s still unproven. The Mets are even floating the idea of using Brett Baty in left field, which tells you just how fluid the situation is.
That opens the door for someone like Ramos-if he can prove he’s the best option when the Mets need to dip into their minor league pool. But he won’t be alone in that race.
Prospects A.J. Ewing and Nick Morabito are also expected to start the year in Syracuse, and both have experience in center and the corners.
Plus, there are other outfielders in their mid-to-late 20s who’ll be battling for the same opportunity.
The Mets’ front office, led by David Stearns, has shown a clear preference for center fielders who can bring some pop. Ramos fits that mold-he’s shown he can hit the ball out of the park, and if he can pair that with solid defense in center, he could make a compelling case for a call-up.
We’ll likely get a glimpse of Ramos in spring training, but the real test will come in Syracuse. If he can keep the bat hot and show he can hold his own defensively, don’t be surprised if he finally gets that long-awaited shot in the majors.
The tools are there. Now it’s about putting it all together at the right time.