MIAMI, FL — Agustín Ramírez stood at loanDepot park Wednesday night proudly holding an award that represented more than just a normal breakout rookie season.
Before the Marlins faced the Mets, Ramírez was presented with the 2025 National League LatinoMVP Rookie of the Year Award by yours truly, Hector Beauchamp of Latino Sports. The honor placed the 25-year-old catcher from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic alongside generations of Latino players recognized by Latino Sports since 1990.
The Mets later defeated the Marlins 15-14 in a wild series finale, but the pregame ceremony belonged to Ramírez and his journey which began long before his major league debut.
“The results you see today are the fruits of the work that has been done,” Ramírez said in Spanish. “By continuing with that effort and dedication, we can achieve the outcomes we want.”
Prior to receiving his 2025 National League LatinoMVP Rookie of the Year Award, Agustín Ramírez talked with Latino Sports about the career milestone and his journey to the majors – Image Credit: Alexandra Campos/Latino Sports
Ramírez, who turns 26 today, Thursday September 10th, grew up admiring another Dominican Superstar in Albert Pujols who himself is a nine-time LatinoMVP Award winner. Juan Soto recently received his third LatinoMVP honor this past Saturday, giving Ramírez two prominent Dominican examples as he begins building his own career.
Known as a “Latin Grammy of Baseball,” the LatinoMVP Awards are the oldest honors recognizing Latino achievement in Major League Baseball. What began with Rubén Sierra winning the first award in 1990 has grown with MLB’s support and coverage across its network and official website today in 2026.
Juan Soto and Albert Pujols have combined to win 12 LatinoMVP Awards in their careers with Soto taking home three and Pujols holding the record at nine – Image Credit: Joel Rodriguez/Latino Sports and Bill Greenblatt/UPI Photo
Ramírez’s journey to the big leagues began when the Yankees signed him as an international free agent in July of 2018. He was then just a 16-year-old kid fresh off a signing bonus of $400,000 which was the largest given to a Dominican catcher in that international class.
Even earning that opportunity placed him among a small percentage of players.
Every year at least 40,000 Dominican players who all share the same childhood dream become eligible to sign, according to the figures reported by The Associated Press, but only about 550 to 600 receive professional contracts. That amounts to roughly 1.4% to 1.5% of the eligible player pool.
Even after you sign your contract, the climb remains unforgiving as you make your way through the minors. Approximately 6% of internationally signed players even reach the majors, while nearly half are released within three years.
The Paths to the Major Leagues for amateur players, international professional free agents and foreign professionals with a certain number of years of experience and those under a certain age – Image Credit: Jack O’Connell/Associated Press
Ramírez debuted in the Dominican Summer League in 2019 and was selected as a midseason All-Star. The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out his entire 2020 minor league season, costing him and many others a full year of development. Ramírez returned in 2021 and broke through offensively the following season, hitting .304 with six home runs and 51 RBI in 44 games making a real name for himself.
By 2023, Ramírez had advanced from Single-A Tampa to Double-A Somerset, hitting 18 home runs across three levels and earning South Atlantic League Player of the Month honors after batting .415 with a 1.223 OPS in July.
His progress made him one of the Yankees’ leading prospects, but his career changed on July 27, 2024, when New York traded him, Jared Serna and Abrahan Ramírez to Miami for Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Miami promoted Ramírez on April 21, 2025, a day marking his MLB debut against Cincinnati where he went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. He then became the first player in at least 125 years with three multi-extra-base-hit games within his first five career games.
Ramírez finished his rookie season with 21 home runs, 33 doubles, 67 RBI, 72 runs and 16 stolen bases over 136 games. He led National League rookies in home runs, hits, extra-base hits, total bases and runs, while his 33 doubles led all major league rookies.
He also became the first rookie catcher in MLB history with at least 20 home runs and 10 stolen bases.
Ramírez has continued working on the defensive demands of catching, including his receiving, blocking and throwing. Away from the daily grind, he has participated in Marlins community events and connected with children and families at loanDepot park.
His own family remains at the center of his story with Ramírez’s young daughter, Aileen, helping deliver the news of his major league promotion. His parents remain his first call during the best and most difficult moments.
“My parents have always been there for me and have always wanted what is best for me,” he said. “They are the people I call for any conversation, whether it is good or bad.”
Agustín Ramírez received a loud applause and cheers from the crowd at loanDepot Park Wednesday night as Latino Sports presented him with his well-deserved National League LatinoMVP Rookie of the Year Award – Image Credit: Alexandra Campos/Latino Sports
For Ramírez, the difficult road from the DR was never impossible. It was the road that prepared him.
“Sometimes we confuse difficult with impossible,” Ramírez said. “But if we commit to the work, trust the process and remain dedicated, the fruits of our labor will come one way or another.”
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