Keronn Walker President and CEO of B.I.G Baseball Academy, and currently the MLB Scout for the Chicago Cubs.
Ricardo Ramirez is a graduate of De La Salle Institute where he was a three-time letter winner in baseball. Named First-team CCL All-Conference his junior and senior campaign. Ramirez was the CCLLawless Player of the Year, and First-team Team All-area his senior year after batting .446 with 10 Homeruns and 43 RBI.
After high school Ricardo played 1B/3B for the University of Illinois – Chicago. At UIC Ricardo was a part of two Horizon League Conference Championships and one NCAA Division 1 regional (2017). Ramirez was also a Horizon League First Team selection in 2016.
Ramirez first signed a professional baseball contract with the Traverse City Beach Bums in the Frontier League then went on and signed with the Pericos de Puebla part of the Mexican Baseball League (LMB). Participated in the Liga Invernal Mexicana (LIM) and Liga Norte de Mexico (LNM)
Ramirez is currently the Graduate Assistant baseball coach at Roosevelt University. Specializes in hitting and defense.
Teo Marquez is a Graduate of De La Salle Institute where he was a 3 year varsity starter and 2 time-letter winner in baseball. Named First-Team CCL all conference after his junior and senior campaign.
After high school Teo played SS/2B at Morton College. At Morton Teo led the team in hits (49) and batting average (.329) and went on to be named Illinois skyway 2nd-Team All Conference after his freshman season. In his second year at Morton Teo was 2nd on the team in home runs (4) and 2nd in RBI’s (33) and was named Illinois skyway honorable mention.
Teo will be playing baseball at Calumet College of St. Joseph this fall on a full scholarship while majoring in Criminal Justice.
Connor played high school baseball at Lockport Township high school in Lockport, IL. He helped his team advance to a super sectional during his last year there in 2013.
From there, Connor attended Prairie State Community College. During his only season there, he was elected All-Conference in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and All-Region with the Pioneers.
From there, Connor went on to play at UIC for three years. In 2016 he was among league leaders in ERA (3.78) and opponent batting average (.253). In 2017 he appeared only out of the bullpen for the Flames. Connor posted a 3.10 ERA and 17 of his 22 outings were scoreless. The right hander lead the team in strikeout-to-walk ratio and was selected as the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week 3 times. In June of 2017, Connor was selected in the 8th round of the MLB draft by the Cincinnati Reds. He was the highest selected player from UIC since Curtis Granderson in 2003.
Connor has experience coaching, assisting in baseball camp development, and a history of developing players. He has assisted in directing the UIC winter baseball camps for the last 4 years now (pitching components). In addition to organizing these camps, he has also been an active coach at said camps. Connor has experience coaching athletes from the ages 6-18, but has more experience with athletes ages 12-18. Additionally, Connor previously ran a velocity camp at UIC for kids who were interested in learning the science behind increasing their pitching and throwing velocities.
Rafael attended Eric Solorio Academy High School where he was varsity captain. Rafael helped lead his team to win the first ever regionals and sectionals championship for the sport. Rafael was a utility player impacting the game at any position he played.
After high school Rafa went on to play baseball at Olive Harvey Community College and later suffered an ankle injury that made him to step away from the sport.
Rafael has now come back to give back to the community and knowing what it takes to be at the next level he wants to help players accomplish their dreams and aspirations.
Ernesto worked for the Houston Astro’s as a minor League hitting coach. Prior to his role with the Astros he was the catching and hitting coordinator at Roosevelt University down the street in the West Loop. He is available to coach hitting, infield, outfield, catchers and pitching.
Norberto attended Saint Xavier University where he played 3rd/2nd base and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Finance as well as an MBA in Management.
Norberto coached at the Bulls/Sox Academy for 4 years. Worked for the White Sox Front Office during the 2017 season and the Chicago Cubs during the 2019 season. He also was an assistant coach at Saint Xavier University working primarily with infield defense and hitting.
Norberto currently works for the Washington Nationals Player Development department working with minor league players and coaches.
B.I.G. Baseball Academy is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. We provide scholarships and financial assistance for players in need. Contact us at 773.397.1200 or at bigbaseballacademy@gmail.com
Copyright © 2018 BIG Baseball Academy - All Rights Reserved.