Ramirez makes pitch for Show: Left-handed reliever returns to Brewers to finish what he started

Nick Ramirez is the Double-A Biloxi all-time leader in home runs (30) and games played (296). He's lofted 49 Double-A long balls, including those hit in 2014, when the Brewers affiliate was based out of Huntsville. Ramirez made Southern League midseason All-Star teams in 2014 and 2015 and was the circuit's first-base representative on the end-of-season All-Star squad in 2014 as well.

And now he's a pitcher -- one that's finally reached Triple-A after four years at the second-highest level. And after an impressive first pro season on the mound, a pitcher he will stay for the foreseeable future.

Nick Ramirez's 1.01 WHIP ranked fifth among Southern League pitchers with at least 70 innings in 2017. Photo: MiLB.com)

 "It was like a breath of fresh air," said the 28-year-old left-hander of finally getting to Colorado Springs. "I was excited. It honestly made me think maybe I should've signed as a pitcher all along." The Brewers might agree with that statement. They re-signed their 2011 fourth-rounder, who played both ways during his time at Cal State Fullerton, to a Minor League free-agent contract this week.

No one can blame either side for wanting to keep Ramirez on the mound. The southpaw posted a 1.37 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and a .199 average-against while striking out 56 strikeouts and walking 24 over 79 innings at Biloxi. He made the Southern League midseason All-Star team for a third time and earned that previously elusive promotion to the Pacific Coast League on Sept. 3 in time for Colorado Springs' playoff push.