Heliot Ramos, a 24-year-old outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, has been one of baseball’s biggest breakout stars in the first half of the season. Despite being called up to the Giants in May, Ramos ranks second on the team in bWAR and has an impressive .973 OPS, better than most major-league outfielders. His success is even more surprising considering he was one of the first cuts from major-league camp this past spring and was passed over for promotion last year. But Ramos has been thriving, both offensively and defensively, and has quickly become a key player for the Giants.
Ramos comes from a baseball family. His older brother, Henry, who is seven years older, served as his mentor and role model. When Henry was drafted into pro baseball, Heliot was just 9 years old. The brothers would talk almost every day, and Heliot eagerly anticipated Henry’s return home. This close bond helped instill in Heliot a deep appreciation for the difficulty of rising through the minor leagues.
Heliot followed in his brother’s footsteps and signed with the Giants as their first-round pick in 2017. Two years later, the Giants signed Henry to a minor-league contract, and the brothers had the opportunity to play together in a spring training game in 2019. However, their time together was cut short when Henry received a lucrative offer from the Korean Baseball Organization and had to leave Santurce, where they were playing winter ball.
Despite being separated this season, the Ramos brothers still talk almost every day and support each other’s careers. Heliot is impressed by Henry’s success in Korea, where he is batting .323 with seven home runs. Meanwhile, Heliot himself has been excelling with the Giants. He has four home runs in his past six games and has reached base in 12 of his past 15 plate appearances.
Ramos’ breakout performance has caught everyone by surprise, including the Giants organization. He was initially sent down to the minor leagues this spring and was overlooked for promotion last year. But Ramos’ physical gifts and determination have propelled him to success. He has shown both offensive prowess, with a .410 average and 13 RBIs in his past 11 games, and defensive skills, making impressive catches in the outfield.
Ramos’ success has been a pleasant surprise for Giants manager Bob Melvin, who is impressed by his confidence and ability to make difficult plays look easy. Ramos’ defensive contributions in center field have been particularly valuable for the Giants, who lost their starting center fielder to injury. Despite limited experience playing center field at the major-league level, Ramos has quickly adapted and impressed his teammates with his assertiveness and fearlessness.
As for the future, Melvin is optimistic about Ramos’ potential and believes he will only continue to improve with more experience. The Giants could benefit from having Ramos bat behind struggling hitters to help them regain their form. With his current performance, Ramos is likely to receive more fastballs, which will also benefit leadoff hitter Austin Slater.
Overall, Heliot Ramos’ breakout season has been an inspiring story of perseverance and talent. Despite facing setbacks and being overlooked in the past, Ramos has proven himself as a valuable asset to the Giants. His success serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball and the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise. With his brother Henry cheering him on from afar, Ramos is determined to continue making an impact in the major leagues.