Mankato, Minn. – The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, of the Northwoods League, is excited to announce the addition of Fresno State Bulldogs pitcher Ricky Ramirez and infielder Joe Prior to the MoonDogs 2015 Roster.
Ricky Ramirez a 6’1 Freshman right-handed pitcher who hails from Marysville, California has yet to see the field of play for the Bulldogs.
During his Senior year at River Valley High School he recorded a 9-2 record with a 1.15 ERA while racking up 96 strikeouts. Ramirez was both an All-Tri County League and All Area Player in his Junior and Senior seasons.
“He’s a backend of the bullpen power arm who we expect us to get a lot of tough outs with his tough mentality,” said Field Manager Ryan Day. “Ricky will be the type of guy we count on the get the big strikeout in a close game.”
Joe Prior is a Sophomore first baseman and catcher for the Bulldogs. The Los Alamitos, California native started in three games and appeared in 16 in his freshman campaign mainly in a DH role for the Bulldogs.
In high school, Prior earned first-team All-Los Angeles Times honor his senior year.
“Joe provides some versatility as he can play first and catch,” said Day. “He’s another hitter we expect good things from. He can hit for power and drive in a lot of runs for the MoonDogs.”
“Ramirez and Prior come from one of the best programs in California. They play the game hard and the right way and we are extremely lucky to get these two from a hardworking blue-collar program like Fresno State,” said Day.
The MoonDogs home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, at 7:05 p.m. against the Rochester Honkers at Franklin Rogers Park. Season tickets are now on sale at the MoonDogs office located at 1221 Caledonia Street.
“The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (OAK) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit mankatomoondogs.com
