17 days until the Pittsburgh Pirates hold their first Spring Training workout

PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 25: Aramis Ramirez
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 25: Aramis Ramirez

The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to inch closer and closer to the start of Spring Training 2018

In just 17 days, the Pittsburgh Pirates will send their pitchers and catchers to the fields of Pirate City for their first workout of the spring. This means that in 17 days Spring Training 2018 will be underway for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In 2016 Matt Joyce wore number 17 for the Pirates, while Philip Gosselin had this honor in 2017 until he was designated for assignment. The last player to wear it and make a large impact was third baseman Aramis Ramirez in 2015.

After beginning his career as a Pirate, Ramirez was traded to the Chicago Cubs by then Pirate general manager Dave Littlefield in the salary dump to end all salary dumps in 2003. Neal Huntington then reacquired Ramirez from the Milwaukee Brewers in July of 2015 to help the Pirates in their push for the postseason.

During his return tour with the Pirates, Aramis Ramirez accumulated 214 plate appearances in 56 games played. While Ramirez got on base at just a .299 clip, while posting a .308 wOBA and a 95 wRC+, he hit for good power and had a knack for the clutch in his Pirate return.

Aramis Ramirez slugged .413, he had an ISO if .168, he collected 20 extra base hits, and he drove in 33 runs with the Pirates in 2015. Ramirez also attempted to learn first base due to the defensive woes of Pedro Alvarez during his second tenure in Pittsburgh, making three starts at first base and appearing at the position in five total games.

During the 2015 postseason Aramis Ramirez would get one at-bat, grounding into a 5-4-3 double play against Jake Arrieta in the National League Wild Card Game that season.

Following the 2015 season, Aramis Ramirez would retire from baseball. In 18 Major League seasons, Ramirez hit 386 home runs, he had a .357 wOBA, a 115 wRC+, and a cumulative fWAR of 38.4.

Next: Nik Turley suspended 80 games

The start of Spring Training 2018 for the Pittsburgh Pirates is now just 17 days away!

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations