TUCSON, Ariz. – Lucas Ramirez, the son of former Major League Baseball star and two-time World Series champion Manny Ramirez, is set to represent Brazil in the 2025 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers from March 2-6 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. Brazil will face Colombia, Germany, and China as they compete for a spot in the 2026 WBC next March.
Manny Ramirez also had 555 home runs in the MLB alongside being a 12-time All-Star.
With Lucas Ramirez paving the way in his father’s footsteps and just stepping into the professional baseball landscape, he can show how capable he is of hitting elite MLB talent in the near future.
“Playing for Brazil is one of my dreams. Everybody thought I would want to play for the Dominican Republic, but I feel like my heart has always been in Brazil,” Ramirez told World Baseball Network at Veterans Memorial Day during the 2025 WBCQ Media Day on March 1.
Lucas Ramirez will wear No. 24 during the WBCQ in honor of his father’s greatness.
Brazil is ranked at No. 24 in the World Baseball Rankings, published by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.
Colombia is at No. 13, Germany is at No. 17 and China is at No. 20.
The 6 ‘3, 205-pound 19-year-old outfielder was born in Weston, Fla., and was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 17th round of the 2024 MLB Draft. He signed with the organization on July 17, 2024, forgoing his commitment to the 2024 NCAA National Champion University of Tennessee Volunteers after his senior season at American Heritage High School in Plantation, Fla.
Ramirez was drafted on the same day as David Ortiz’s son D’Angelo Ortiz, who the Boston Red Sox selected in the 19th round.
“I’ve been working hard with the Angels, and I’m grateful they drafted me and gave me this chance. I feel like I’m ready to show that I can compete, that I can hit big-league pitching, and that I’m prepared to go out there and play,” Ramirez said.
Before the draft, Ramirez played in the West Coast League, a collegiate summer league.
The left-handed slugger spent the 2024 season with the Victoria HarbourCats in the WCL. He played in 11 games, hitting .290/.425/.323 with 40 plate appearances, collecting nine hits, one double, three RBI, swiping three bases, eight walks and seven strikeouts prior to being drafted by the Angels.
He committed to the University of Tennessee on Jan. 21, 2023 prior to his junior season.