Interview With Atlanta Braves 14th Round Pick First Baseman Ramon Osuna
By Jeff Schafer
Braves 14th Round Pick, Ramon Osuna
The Atlanta Braves selected Ramon Osuna Sanchez with the 409 pick of the 2016 MLB Draft. The first baseman from Walters State Junior College stands 6’3″, 240. Atlanta’s 14th round selection was a redshirt sophomore that had two very good seasons at Walters.
Walters Community College has a fairly rich history of having players drafted. Since 1981, 63 players have been selected from Walters CC and the Braves have now drafted 14. Walters CC head coach, David Shelton, is an associate scout for the Braves.
The 20-year-old (his birthday his June 27th) has the power, size and speed that could develop into something we could see in the future playing at SunTrust Ball Park.
Tomahawk Take: What was your first thoughts when you heard your name called by the Atlanta Braves?
Ramon Osuna: I was definitely extremely excited to have heard my name called by the Braves! The Braves were the team I’ve always wanted to be a part of and it’s honestly still setting in that this is happening! Definitely a dream come true.
TT: Growing up in South Carolina, was the Braves your favorite team? Why?
RO: Growing up in South Carolina always made me a Braves fans mainly because it’s the closest team to us and when I first started playing baseball, I would go to watch what was back then the Greenville Braves all the time and became a fan from a young age.
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TT: Did you have a player you looked up to or wanted to be? Why
RO: The player I’ve always looked up to has been Miguel Cabrera because of the way he approaches the game and hitting.
TT: If you could be playing any other sport, what would it be? Why?
RO: I would have to choose soccer. I enjoy watching it and Fifa is one of my favorite games.
TT: You started your college career at the College of Charleston, why did you decide to transfer to Walters State CC?
RO: I loved Charleston but I’ve been interested to go the juco route since high school and decided to transfer after I talked to David Shelton, he was my coach at Walters State, and we had a great relationship from the start and Walters is very well known for their rich winning tradition and it was definitely the best decision I could’ve made.
TT: You hit over .400 your last season at Walters State with 13 home runs, 93 RBIs, 72 runs and 12 stolen bases. What a year…do you see your game at the plate as a power hitter with speed?
RO: That was actually my freshman year stats, this past year I hit .389 with 19 home runs and 86 rbi’s, 70 runs, 12 sb. But thank you! Hitting has always been my strength and I’ve been working on improving my running game to become a better all around player.
TT: Will you try to work on stealing bases in the minors or concentrate on power?
RO: I definitely want to keep developing my running game but hitting is my strength so developing my power will probably a little more of my focus but I would like to be a good all around player.
TT: How accustom are you to the wood bat? Are you ready to take on this challenge in the minors?
RO: It’s certainly a lot different than metal! Haha but I’ve always swing wood every time I would go into the cages to hit so I’ve gotten pretty used to the feel of it, and I’m ready and excited to take on the challenge of the minor leagues and to learn everyday.
TT: What are you most proud of throughout your playing career (college, HS, AAU, etc)
RO: I would have to say of my college career. I got to play in the Juco World Series last year and be the World Series MVP there and that was a really exciting experience.
TT: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
RO: In 5 years I just hope to see myself still playing this great game and climbing the Braves system.