Two Major One Minor 051712

Here is the fifth installment of Two Major One Minor for 2012. The players this week are Andy Dirks, Gregor Blanco and Wilkin Ramirez.


Andy Dirks of the Detroit Tigers has established himself as the starting left fielder and the Tigers are enjoying his hot streak. This season he is hitting .370/.427/.593 with 3 HR, 12 RBI, 17 R and 0 SB in 24 games. He showed in the minors the ability to hit around and above .300 and can produce double digit home runs and steals. In 2010 between Double A and Triple A he had 15 HR and 22 steals while hitting .296/.352/.466 in 120 games. He was originally drafted by the Tigers in the eighth round in 2008. Dirks turned 26 on January 24.


Gregor Blanco of the San Francisco Giants has staked his claim on the starting right field spot with his strong start. This season he is hitting .290/.400/.403 with 1 HR, 8 RBI, 14 R and 4 SB in 29 games. He is entering his fourth MLB season and also spent time with the Royals and Braves. For his career he has hit .260/.361/.330 with 3 HR, 61 RBI, 102 R and 30 SB in 282 games. In the minors he showed he could hit within a couple dozen of .300 and could steal at the rate of 25 to 35. He originally signed with the Braves as an amateur free agent in 2000 out of Venezuela. Blanco turned 28 on December 24.


Wilkin Ramirez of the Minnesota Twins organization has been already been rising through the minors this early season. At Double A he hit .388/.412/.816 with 4 HR, 7 RBI, 12 R and 2 SB in 11 games before being promoted to Triple A two games ago. Ramirez had been a rising star in the Tigers organization and represented them in the Futures Game in 2008 and 2010. He had a late season call up in 2009 but was back in the minors when he was traded to the Braves in July 2010. He split 2011 between Triple A and the Braves. He joined the Twins as free agent in November 2011. He limited MLB totals are .270/.349/.459 with 1 HR, 5 RBI, 11 R and 0 SB in 35 games. He originally signed with the Tigers as an amatuer free agent in 2003 out of the Dominican Republic. He will be 27 on October 25.