’Topes’ Ramos named All-Star
Slugging first baseman will also take part in HR Derby
Roberto Ramos will be missing the family barbecue.
And he’s OK with that, even if it’s been awhile since he’s been back home in Mexico.
The power-hitting 24-year-old Albuquerque Isotopes first baseman, nicknamed the Mariachi Masher, on Friday was added to the Pacific Coast League All-Star roster, including being added to the Home Run Derby festivities.
The game (Wednesday at 7 p.m. and being broadcast on the MLB Network) and home run derby (Monday) will be hosted by the El Paso Chihuahuas.
“I was going to go home for three days, but I guess there’s been a change of plans,” said Ramos on Friday afternoon before Albuquerque’s game with the visiting Las Vegas Aviators, who blasted the host Isotopes 16-3 on Friday night.
A planned trip to Hermosillo, Mexico, is no more, but for good reason. And his family, he says, certainly understands.
“Yeah, they’re OK with it,” Ramos said with a smile. “I was just looking forward to getting home and just relaxing and seeing my family, which I haven’t seen them a whole lot in the past three or four months. Just enjoy some quality time with the family. …
“We love to barbecue. I have a huge family and we love doing barbecues and getting together.”
Ramos, who replaces Reno’s Kevin Cron on the All-Star roster, is the fourth Isotopes player to be named to the PCL All-Star team, though one — infielder Pat Valaika, who was named an All-Star starter at third base — has been called back up to the parent club Colorado Rockies and won’t be in El Paso next week.
The three Isotopes who will be playing in the game are Ramos, outfielders Sam Hilliard and Yonathan Daza.
In his first season at the Triple-A level, Ramos has 19 home runs and 66 RBIs in 78 games. He will be the first Isotopes player in the home run derby since Trayvon Robinson in 2011.
The 16th-round draft pick of the Rockies in 2014 has spent the season in Albuquerque building on the power-surge he had in 2018, blasting 32 home runs and driving in 77 runs in 121 games a year ago split between High-A Lancaster and DoubleA Hartford. He was also an All-Star a year ago, being named to the midseason California League All-Star Team for his play with Lancaster.
As for why he made the cut this year, Ramos said it was simply figuring out his new surroundings.
“Making adjustments — adjustments to the league,” Ramos said of why he feels he is now an All-Star. “I’m working hard and I’m going to continue to do that. … There’s always room for improvement moving forward. But, as of now, I’m happy where I’m at.”
He’s particularly happy with his performance at the plate as of late. He was 2-for-4 with an RBI in Friday’s loss. Since June 1, Ramos is hitting .379 with eight home runs.
And, as for what he is aiming for in the second half of the season, Ramos said it isn’t about any individual numbers.
“Get in the playoffs,” he said when asked about his goals. “We can still make a push and if we can make the playoffs, I’d like to win a championship.”
And, despite the team’s 36-52 record, he says the Isotopes are capable of such a run.
“I know the team we have,” Ramos said. “We can go up against anybody in this league and I trust them.”