Horacio Ramírez (born November 24, 1979) is a Mexican-American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and in the KBO League for the Kia Tigers.
The Atlanta Braves drafted Ramírez in the fifth round of the 1997 Major League Baseball draft out of Inglewood High School in California. He made his debut in the majors for Atlanta in 2003, when he finished the season 12–4 with a 4.00 ERA in 29 starts. At the end of his rookie season, he was selected to the Baseball Digest All-Star Rookie team. He got off to an excellent start in 2004, posting a 2–4 with a 2.28 ERA in his first nine starts, before he suffered a shoulder injury and was placed on the disabled list on May 30. While initially thought to be a minor injury, Ramírez was not activated until September 26.
In 2005, Ramírez finished with an 11–9 record and 4.63 ERA in 33 games (32 starts), pitching over 200 innings for the only time in his career. He remained in the Braves' rotation in 2006 as the number 3 starter, going 5–5 with a 4.48 ERA in 14 starts.
On December 6, 2006, the Braves traded Ramírez to the Seattle Mariners for reliever Rafael Soriano. In his lone season with Seattle, Ramírez posted a record of 8–7 but had an ERA of 7.16 in 20 starts.
On March 12, 2008, Ramírez was released by the Mariners.
On May 21, 2008, Ramírez signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals. He pitched in 15 games for the Royals out of the bullpen, going 1–1 with a 2.59 ERA.
On August 9, 2008, Ramírez was traded to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Paulo Orlando. In 17 relief appearances, he allowed 11 runs in 13 innings. He became a free agent following the season.
Kansas City Royals (second stint)
On December 11, 2008, Ramírez signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Royals. His first start for the Royals was the last start of his MLB career, in which he allowed 6 runs in 4+1⁄3 innings on April 11. In 18 bullpen appearances, he had a 4.43 ERA, one loss, and one blown save. On June 6, the Royals designated him for assignment.
On June 15, 2009, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. He started 16 games for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, going 3–7. He became a free agent on November 9.
On February 1, 2010, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants. He made only three starts for the Triple-A Fresno Grizzles, spending four months on the disabled list. He became a free agent following the season on November 6.
On March 11, 2011, Ramírez signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He began the season with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, where he earned the only 6 saves of his professional career. On July 20, the Angels purchased Ramírez's contract. He was not effective as a reliever, going 1–0 while allowing 6 runs and 16 hits in 9 innings in the final 12 games of his major league career. He became a free agent after the season.
On February 20, 2012, Ramírez signed with Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization. He was released on June 5 after 10 relief appearances.
On June 15, 2012, Ramírez signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 12 games (6 starts) 36+2⁄3 innings he went 2–0 with a 1.96 ERA and 22 strikeouts.
On August 17, 2012, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs. He made three starts for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. He elected free agency after the season on November 2.
Lancaster Barnstormers (second stint)
On May 11, 2013, Ramírez signed again with the Lancaster Barnstormers. In 9 games (8 starts), he went 5–1 with a 3.51 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 48+2⁄3 innings.
On July 5, 2013, Ramírez signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League. In 6 starts (40 innings) he went 3–2 with a 3.38 ERA and 24 strikeouts.