Fri, Oct 31st 2008, 12:32
When it comes to evaluating pure talent, personnel evaluators throughout Major League Baseball agree that Hanley Ramirez has star power.
An impressive athlete with the ability to combine speed and power, Ramirez finished the 2008 season for the Marlins by batting .301 with 33 home runs and 35 stolen bases.
On Friday, it was announced that the 24-year-old Florida shortstop has been voted to the The Sporting News National League All-Star team.
Ramirez was selected as the league’s top shortstop by a panel of 41 general managers and assistant general managers from both leagues.
For the second time this week, someone within the Marlins organization has been recognized by The Sporting News, Fredi Gonzalez on Thursday was voted by his peers as the NL Manager of the Year.
Acquired by the Marlins after the 2005 season from Boston as part of the Mike Lowell/Josh Beckett trade, Ramirez posted big numbers for the third straight season.
He matched his franchise record with 125 runs scored, which were tops in the Major Leagues. A year ago, he also scored 125 times.