So here's my half hearted attempt to prove the merits of the Reds Elizardo Ramirez compared to Pittsburgh wunderkid Zach Duke.
Stay with me on this one now till the end
Date Of Birth
Zach Duke: April 19, 1983 - 22 years old
Elizardo Ramirez: January 28, 1983 - 22 years old
Zach Duke 2005 AAA numbers
108.0IP, 108H, 35ER, 8HR, 23BB, 66K, 1.21WHIP, 2.92ERA
Elizardo Ramirez 2005 AAA numbers
102.0IP, 115H, 37ER, 11HR, 14BB, 61K, 1.26WHIP, 3.26ERA
Zach Duke Career Progression
2002 - Rookie
2003 - Low A
2004 - High A / AA
2005 - AAA / MLB
Elizardo Ramirez Career Progression
2000 - Dominican
2001 - Dominican
2002 - Rookie
2003 - High A
2004 - High A / AA / MLB
2005 - AAA / MLB
Zach Duke Career Minor League stats
350.0IP, 276H, 86ER, 14HR, 94BB, 303K, 2.42BB/9, 7.79K/9, 1.06WHIP, 2.21ERA
Elizardo Ramirez Career Minor League stats
505.2IP, 484H, 152ER, 21HR, 75BB, 398K, 1.34BB/9, 7.10K/9, 1.11WHIP, 2.71ERA
Why does this comparison matter?
Duke has gotten all kinds of pub as of late as he's had quite the hot start at the MLB level.
Does this mean that The Lizard is ready to duplicate that? Who knows, that remains to be seen. He certainly didn't impress in his short stint as a major leaguer so far.
It would be interesting to see how Elizardo would have done if he hadn't been so aggressively promoted by hot seat GM's quick on the trigger (hello Ed Wade). But he's having himself quite the season at AAA, his first go 'round at that level, so that's worth getting some kudos. And how better to do that than to compare his year to that of the latest NL Central rookie star. Duke's been considered a "moxie & control" guy, much like Elizardo, so that's something to consider.
When folks are thinking and discussing 2006 options for the Reds rotation, it's important to keep Ramirez in mind.