Apr 21, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez (13) gets a base hit to drive in a run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON — In his two seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Hanley Ramirez has gone through two completely different Aprils.
In 2015, Ramirez started the season on fire, belting 10 home runs and driving in 22 runs in the first month of the regular season. Through the first three weeks of the 2016 season, Ramirez has just one home run and nine RBIs.
“I think there have been times where he’s gotten his pitch and I can’t say whether it’s over-aggressiveness or over-swinging where he’s just missing some pitches, but he’s doing a good job of getting into some good hitter counts,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said. “Certainly he’s going to be pitched carefully. I don’t think it’s been expanding the strike zone or chasing pitches.”
At times this season, Ramirez has gone after the slider off the plate, which may not be his strength area, Farrell said, but a noticeable difference in his swing is missing pitches up over the middle of the plate.
With the way Ramirez is hitting the ball in 2016 thus far, with 13 singles, three doubles, a triple and the one home run, Farrell said he believes the left fielder-turned-first baseman is a more consistent hitter with that approach instead of looking to hit only home runs.
“I think he has gotten back to the hitter he’s been for the majority of his career,” he said. “That’s one who’s centered more up the middle to right-center field. I think it’s created a swing path that’s got better plate coverage.”
In Boston’s 5-3, 12-inning victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday, Ramirez went 2-for-6 with an RBI and a run. He is batting .270 with a .291 on-base percentage and a .378 slugging percentage.
