Royal C/DH Max Ramirez hit two home runs in yesterday's (SS) win over the Padres.
A NRI with the Royals this Spring, Ramirez has spent most of his career with Texas, earning Major League playing time with the Rangers in 2008 and 2010. (He likes election years.) In 133 career PAs, he has a .217/.343/.357 line. In 2011 he played for three organizations (Cubs, Astros, Giants) at the minor league level, and hit a composite .278/.334/.489.
2012 is Ramirez's age 27 season. To make the team, he'll have to beat out a member of the Pena/Pina duo. I wonder if he wouldn't be a better option than Brayan, who is now 30 and earning $875,000, at this point? I used to think Pena could hit a little, but he's slugged in the .330s the last two seasons and his .288 OBP last season. Of course, Manny Pina is a product of the best farm system ever, and his credentials are unimpeachable.
Nevertheless, this is all academic because Salvador Perez will get 800 PAs this season and lead the Royals to a World Series title with his Perezence.