There is a familiar face returning to the Atlanta Braves organization! Horacio Ramirez, an eight-year major league veteran, has officially been named the pitching coach for the Rome Emperors, the Braves’ High-A affiliate.
And for those keeping track, yes—this is a bit of a homecoming for Ramirez. He spent part of his own minor league career pitching in Rome back when they were the Rome Braves.
Now, he’s back in a new role, looking to shape the next generation of Braves arms.
A Look Back at Ramirez’s Playing Career
Ramirez, now 45, was originally drafted out of the California high school ranks in the fifth round of the 1997 MLB Draft.
Over his career, he pitched for the Braves, Mariners, Royals, White Sox, and Angels, finishing with a 40-35 record and a 4.65 ERA. His best season? That would be in 2003, when he won a career-high 12 games for Atlanta.
He followed that up with an 11-win season in 2005 before being dealt to the Mariners. The trade that brought high-powered reliever Rafael Soriano to the Braves.
How Ramirez Fits into the Rome Emperors’ Coaching Staff
Now, let’s discuss what this means for the Rome Emperors. Ramirez joins a coaching staff led by manager Angel Flores and hitting coach Connor Justus. He’ll be tasked with developing young pitchers who want to reach the big leagues.
Having a coach with major league experience can be a huge asset to a developing pitching staff. He has experienced the highs and lows of professional baseball, something that can also help on the mental side of the game.
The Braves’ Outlook for the 2025 Season
The Braves are gearing up for another strong season at the big-league level. They’re looking for a deeper playoff run this time around after finishing second in the NL East last year.
They made it to the wild card round before falling to the Padres, they’re looking for a deeper playoff run this time around.
The return of a healthy Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley should help, and Spencer Strider, along with former MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., is expected to be back at some point in the first half of the season.
With spring training officially underway, players will soon start getting re-assigned to minor league camp. That means we’ll get a clearer picture of Rome’s roster for the upcoming season.
But one thing’s for sure—having a guy like Horacio Ramirez leading the pitching staff is a great step toward building a competitive squad.
Keep an eye on Rome this season; there’s always a chance the next big Braves star is taking the mound under Ramirez’s watch.
