Matthew Ramirez '12 Recruiting Profile

My name is Matthew Ramirez and I am a senior at De La Salle High School in Chicago, IL. I am the starting outfielder for my varsity team. My freshman season, I was the starting shortstop, however, I also started at the following positions; starting pitcher, catcher, and outfielder. I am also a member of The Bridgeport Bombers Travel Baseball team. I am 5'09 and weigh 160 lbs. As a member of the Bridgeport Bombers Travel Team, I have played 3rd base, outfield and pitcher. I am entering my fifth season of travel baseball and have competed against some of the best talent in the mid-west. In 2010 at the age of 15, I was selected to play on the 17u Bridgeport Bombers travel team and enjoyed the experience of playing against older, more experienced players and facing some of the top pitching prospects in Illinois and the surrounding states. Last year,  I proudly was selected once again to play for the 17u Bridgeport Bombers travel team which competed in 18u elite tournaments at various colleges including Michigan State University, The University of Notre Dame, Western Michigan University and Illinois State University to name a few.  In 2012, I will be playing in major tournaments at the University of Notre Dame and Louisville University to name a few. I am an extremely hard working individual who is not afraid of any challenge and I have learned that through hard work and dedication, anything can be accomplished. I have a great work ethic and I am constantly working on improving and developing my skills. I am a great "team" player and flourish in whatever role I am asked to play. I always take advantage of opportunities to improve. During this off season, I am focusing on strength and conditioning and I am currently working with Matt Ulrich (former NFL Superbowl Champion; Indianapolis Colts). I am determined to develop more speed and power while continuing to sharpen my fundamentals by utilizing cage time and field work. I spend six days a week in the gym and have also taken up boxing and martial arts to help in my speed and coordination. I am more motivated than ever this off season to further develope my skills and make a huge impact not only on my varsity high school team, but on my travel team as well. I am extremely confident that the work I have put in this offseason will translate into success on the field. I was recently named one of Illinois "Players to watch" in 2012 by Prep Baseball Report.  My goal is to develop my game and to someday use my skills to attend and play baseball at the collegiate level. I am currently not focused on any particular school as I like keeping all my options open. I feel that my work ethic and leadership qualities would be an asset to any team/school. I am actively involved as a volunteer with the Illinois Special Olympics. Academically: Despite being halfway through my senior year, I was offered the challenge of entering into all AP Honors classes which I have accepted.  My goal is to continue to be a positive influence to my classmates as well as my teammates.