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Padres' Top International Signee Draws Comparisons To Five-Time All-Star

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Padres
By J.P. Hoornstra | Last updated 1/16/24

The San Diego Padres' new prized prospect models his game after one of the best.

Speaking on a Zoom with reporters on the day his minor league contract became official, Leodalis de Vries said he has been modeling himself after another switch-hitter: Jose Ramirez, the Cleveland Guardians' five-time All-Star.

Padres prospect Leodalis De Vries discusses his relationship with Cleveland Guardians infielder Jose Ramirez.

De Vries: "I know Jose really well. I like to think of him as a brother." pic.twitter.com/JI9nG7uxP5
— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) January 15, 2024

Ramirez, 31, is a career .279/.355/.499 hitter with 216 career home runs. Perhaps most remarkably, Ramirez is the rare switch hitter whose splits are virtually even — an All-Star from both sides of the plate. As a right-hander, Ramirez has a career slash line of .279/.361/.506. As a left-hander, he's slashing .279/.341/.486.

Few better role models have existed for a switch hitter in major league history. Fortunately for de Vries, he and Ramirez know each other personally:

MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez said in an interview with MLB Network that de Vries' choice of a role model is already bearing fruit:

Monday, the Padres signed de Vries, 17, to a $4.2 million bonus – the largest in this year's international signing class. The Padres' hopes for their new prospect are understandably high.

Knowing de Vries models his game after perhaps the best switch-hitter in the game will do little to temper expectations.

Padres VP of International & Amateur Scouting Chris Kemp talks about new prospect Leodalis De Vries: "He loves to hit...he's very advanced from left-hand side and the right-hand side." pic.twitter.com/JMsPV5KY8b
— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) January 15, 2024