The New York Mets wasted no time making a splash on the first day of the international signing period, locking in a promising group of young talent. While much of the spotlight is understandably on Wandy Asigen, the Mets made another notable move by signing outfielder Cleiner Ramirez for $1.3725 million-a significant investment in a 17-year-old who’s already drawing comparisons to none other than Kirby Puckett.
That’s not a name scouts throw around lightly. But Ramirez is starting to show why he’s earned it.
Listed at 5-foot-9, Ramirez isn’t the most physically imposing player in the class, but that’s part of what makes him so intriguing. He’s expected to fill out his frame as he matures, and scouts already love the foundation he’s working with. He’s not just a raw athlete-he’s a polished hitter with a well-rounded game that hints at serious upside.
In fact, evaluators say his skill set is helping boost the profile of his home country’s prospects, likening his potential trajectory to that of Luisangel Acuña. That’s high praise, and it speaks to the kind of ceiling Ramirez might have if things break right.
Right now, Ramirez is more of a pure hitter than a slugger, but there’s some pop in the bat-and more could be on the way. What stands out is how he uses his stature to his advantage at the plate.
His right-handed swing is quick and efficient, with a repeatable bat path that allows him to square up different types of pitches. That kind of bat control is rare at his age.
The numbers back it up, too. During his time in the Caracas Prospect League, Ramirez slashed .419 (13-for-31) over 10 games, racking up 21 total bases.
He also showed a mature approach at the plate, drawing 14 walks to just eight strikeouts. That’s not just impressive for a teenager-it’s the kind of plate discipline that suggests he’s already thinking the game at a high level.
Defensively, Ramirez has spent a good chunk of his youth in the infield, and while he’s currently listed as an outfielder, there’s still a chance he finds a home somewhere on the dirt. His versatility will give the Mets options as he develops, and that flexibility only adds to his value as a prospect.
At this stage, it's all about projection. Ramirez is still years away from Citi Field, and there’s plenty of development ahead. But if the Mets are right-and if Ramirez becomes even a fraction of the player Puckett was-they may have just landed one of the steals of this international class.