South Side Hit Pen Top Prospect 85: Lane Ramsey

Ramsey is poised for a big leap to Winston-Salem, and perhaps Birmingham, in 2020.

Tall drink: Ramsey is poised for a big leap to Winston-Salem, and perhaps Birmingham, in 2020. (Tiffany Wintz/South Side Hit Pen)

Lane Ramsey
Right-Handed Relief Pitcher
6´9´´
245 pounds
Age: 23
SSHP rank among all right-handed relief pitchers in the system: 14 

After transferring from Division II Newman University, Lane Ramsey spent the final two years of his college career with the University of Oklahoma. Yes, that's correct. He transferred from Newman to Norman. While his final season with the Sooners wasn't anything to write about, it was still Ramsey's best (even including his year with Newman). In 2018 for the Sooners in 14 outings (three starts), Ramsey compiled a 5.24 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 22 innings by allowing 22 hits (.253 OBA) and 14 walks (13.2%) while striking out 18 (17.0%). The White Sox, liking his fastball and size, selected him in the 23rd round of that year's MLB draft.

Despite throwing more strikes, Ramsey got roughed up a bit in the higher air of Great Falls (5.77 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, .316 OBA, 5.3 BB% and 16.9 K%) in 2018. In 2019, Ramsey fared far better in everything but the walk department, for Kannapolis. In 31 relief appearances totaling 52 ⅓ innings, he posted a 2.75 ERA and 1.18 WHIP by surrendering 42 hits (.215 OBA) and 20 walks (8.8%) while fanning 44 (19.3%). Ramsey was especially tough against righties (.153 OBA), but lefties hit him at a .298 clip. With his size and delivery, Ramsey may simply be more difficult to pick up by righties. Baseball Draft last year credited Ramsey with a peak 95 mph fastball. Opponents hit grounders at a 53% rate against him this year, which should hold him in good stead for Winston-Salem in 2020.