Heliot Ramos

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #26 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Ramos was the team’s first-round pick in 2017, when he was one of the youngest players in the class. He’s appeared in three Futures Games and has been a part of the Giants’ 40-man roster since 2021. He made his big league debut in 2022 and got back to San Francisco for 56 games in 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: Ramos dealt with a pair of strains to his right oblique in 2023 but otherwise performed well at Triple-A Sacramento. The same can not be said for his big league time. He still hits the ball fairly hard but shows elevated rates of miss and chase that will likely limit him to a fringy offensive skill set. Ramos is not much of a defender either and his chances of being serviceable in center field have been all but extinguished. He’s a passable left fielder thanks to fringe-average speed and a below-average arm, but his bat does not appear to be anywhere near the caliber required to profile in a corner as a regular.
  
  The Future: Without serious improvements, Ramos will likely be limited to an up-down player who only gets extended playing time in emergencies. At just 24 years old, he still has time somewhat on his side.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 40
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #16 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: The Giants' first-round pick in 2017, Ramos has been one of the youngest players at every stop in the minor leagues and has appeared in three Futures Games. After a solid but unspectacular season at the upper levels in 2021, he scuffled at Triple-A in 2022 but made his major league debut on April 22. Ramos got into nine games with the Giants and struggled mightily, going 2-for-20.
  
  Scouting Report: A thickly-built righthanded hitter, Ramos hits balls hard when he connects. His 90.7 mph average exit velocity puts him in the upper tier of minor leaguers, but that hard contact is often on the ground. He's an aggressive swinger who frequently mishits balls and needs to improve his launch angle to get the ball in the air more. His strength and pure contact skills give him a chance to be a below-average hitter with average power if he can rein in his swing and approach, but it won't be easy. Defensively, Ramos has slowed to a below-average runner and will have to play a corner in the major leagues. His above-average arm fits best in right field.
  
  The Future: Ramos needs to retool his swing and approach to get more impact out of his hard contact. If he can, he has a chance to be an everyday right fielder. He'll likely shuttle between the majors and minors again in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 50. Speed: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 55.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #4 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Ramos was the Giants’ first-round selection out of high school in Puerto Rico in 2017 and has performed well during his climb through the minor leagues, usually as one of the younger players at every stop. Ramos has also been named to each of the last three Futures Games, including the 2021 version in Denver. Ramos closed 2019 at Double-A and returned there to begin 2021. By season’s end he’d reached Triple-A, where he got to play games against his brother, Henry, a journeyman who was playing for Triple-A Reno in the D-backs’ system.
  
  Scouting Report: After a strong showing at big league spring training, Ramos returned to Double-A to continue learning how to use the entire field. Previously, Ramos tended to work mostly toward his pull side, so in the regular season he focused more on going the opposite way. All the ingredients—bat speed, raw power, command of the strike zone—are there for Ramos to be an excellent offensive player once he reaches the big leagues. The bigger question is where he winds up playing. Despite a thicker body, it’s hard to find an evaluator who’s totally out on the idea of Ramos playing center field. He’s athletic and surprisingly quick for his size, but he’ll have to work hard to make sure those traits stay intact. If he does have to move to a corner, his bat would easily profile. His above-average arm would fit nicely in right field.
  
  The Future: Ramos is likely headed back to Triple-A in 2022, but the Giants’ roster has little in the way of cornerstone outfielders, so there should be plenty of chances for him to hit his way to the majors.
  
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #3 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Running: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Ramos has moved quickly after the Giants drafted him 19th overall in 2017, reaching Double-A at 19 years old in 2019 even though he missed time with a knee injury. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site and instructional league before an oblique strain ended his season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Ramos is a thick, stocky outfielder who is built like a fullback and has a mixture of skills that are average or slightly above. Giants officials were pleased with his at-bats at the alternate site, especially with how he adjusted to the way pitchers attacked him. He was previously vulnerable to sliders down and away, but after last summer he no longer shows a weakness against any single pitch. As long as Ramos maintains that, his quick hands, balance and excellent barrel control should make him at least an average hitter with above-average power. Defensively, Ramos’ average speed and good route-running make him playable in center field despite his body type. He’s still better suited for a corner spot, with his above-average arm fitting in right field.
  
  THE FUTURE: Ramos will head to an upper-level affiliate to start 2021. He has the potential to be an above-average, everyday outfielder and should be in San Francisco by 2022.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #3 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Ramos' athletic bloodlines and baseball skills showed up often in his amateur days, which led the Giants to spend $3.1 million on him in the first round of the 2017 draft. The organization was so impressed by his talent and makeup that they jumped him to the South Atlantic League on Opening Day 2018 and he struggled to perform against more advanced competition. The Giants made the move knowing failure was a possibility and believed his strong makeup would allow him to rebound.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The first key to Ramos' rebound was improved pitch-recognition. The Giants noticed the improvement immediately in the high Class A California League. The improved approach combined with a much better body composition also led to an increase in power. Despite missing time with a knee injury, Ramos socked a career-best 16 homers. There's still a chance Ramos sticks in center field, but he could move to a corner depending on how his body develops as he matures.
  
  THE FUTURE: In the Arizona Fall League and Double-A Eastern League, Ramos showed a need to continue refining his approach. If he can do that, he has a future as an above-average everyday outfielder with hitting ability and power.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #3 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: The younger brother of Henry Ramos, a Dodgers minor leaguer who played with Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2018, and Hector Ramos, a forward on the Puerto Rican national soccer team, Heliot is another exceptional athlete in the Ramos family. The No. 19 pick in 2017, Ramos signed with the Giants for just north of $3.1 million.
  
  Scouting Report: Exclusively a center fielder in his pro career, there are some who feel Ramos will be best suited for right field in the future as he continues to fill out his 6-foot-2 frame. Regardless, the Giants have been pleased with what they've seen from Ramos as an at least average center fielder and feel he'll be an above-average right fielder, at worst, in AT&T Park, which plays big in right field. Ramos is helped by his current plus speed, although his thick lower half leads many to believe he'll slow down as he matures, and his above-average arm plays at either position. Ramos' power profiles in right field as well, with the potential to become a middle-of-the-order bat with 25-plus home run potential. Ramos' hit tool is the biggest question. He has a short swing and can drive the ball to all fields, but he'll likely never draw many walks and he struck out more than 25 percent of the time in low Class A. He's naturally an aggressive hitter, and he usually makes loud contact when he connects.
  
  The Future: Ramos has the chance to be a dangerous power-speed threat in the middle of the Giants' lineup if he continues to refine all of his exciting tools. He'll advance to high Class A San Jose in 2019.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #1 prospect in 2018
  Ramos is the latest exceptional athlete from a family of them. His older brother Henry is a minor league outfielder who has reached Triple-A. His oldest brother Hector is a professional soccer player in the North American Soccer League and plays forward for Puerto Rico's national team. Heliot has a chance to be the best of the brood. He was a divisive prospect leading up to the draft. The teams who liked him, loved him while others worried about his hitting ability because he didn't have much of a track record with wood bats. Heliot (it's a silent “H” and his name is pronounced like Elliott) doesn't always put on a great batting practice, but he almost always performed in games as an amateur. He was the MVP of the Under Armour All-America game as he fell just a double short of the cycle. The Giants quickly locked in on him as their first-round pick and drafted him No. 17 overall, signing him for $3,101,700 to pass up a Florida International commitment. Ramos is the most well-rounded and the toolsiest prospect to come through the Giants farm system this decade. In a system lacking in power, Ramos has the potential for 25-plus home runs, posting exit velocities that wouldn't look out of place in the middle of a big league lineup. He has already shown the ability to both yank the ball over the left field wall or drive it out with carry to right-center. Ramos' swing is relatively short and he has excellent bat speed, although pitchers found they could elevate and get the free-swinging Ramos to chase. He also has consistent plus speed, plus-plus at his best, although his thick trunk leads some to believe he will slow down as he matures. While Ramos' routes can be refined, he glides in the outfield and a majority of evaluators believe he can stay in center field long-term as an average to above-average defender. His above-average arm would also fit in right field, which is useful with how expansive AT&T Park is. Scouts like Ramos' feel for hitting and he was among the best hitters in the Arizona League in his debut, but Ramos' overall future hitting ability remains his biggest question. His free-swinging tendencies are one major thing that could trip him up. Still, Ramos has speed, strength and a baseball-rat mentality, which should allow him to flourish in the low A Class South Atlantic League in 2018.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #30 prospect in 2017 draft
  Ramos has become a divisive prospect, with some teams enthused by his loud tools while others are wary of his limited track record of hitting with a wood bat against high-level competition. He is a plus-plus runner; he ran a 6.40 60-yard dash at the Excellence Tournament in early May. He has plus raw power, with his home runs becoming something of a legend during the spring of his draft year. Using a BBCOR bat, Ramos hit a ball this spring that some evaluators believe traveled more than 500 feet. He has a plus arm from the outfield and has the potential to stay in center field. Ultimately, Ramos's ceiling will hinge on the development of his righthanded bat. He has very loose hands and a knack for making hard contact, but he will expand the strike zone and take off-balance swings. So, while he has the plus bat speed and loose wrists to develop into a good hitter, his offensive approach will require refinement in the minor leagues. Ramos is one of the youngest players in the 2017 class, and won't turn 18 until September. English is his second language, and he made tremendous progress with picking up the language in the months preceding the draft. One of his older brothers, Henry Ramos, is a minor leaguer who reached Triple-A with the Red Sox in 2016. Another of his brothers, Hector Ramos, is a forward for the Puerto Rican national soccer team. Ramos is committed to Florida International, but could be taken as high as the first round and is likely to sign.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked California League #5 prospect in 2019
  Ramos showed a special blend of hitting ability and power at San Jose, hitting for average (.306) and power (.500 slugging) despite playing his home games in a hitter’s graveyard. Ramos took an advanced approach, stayed balanced in his swing and was rarely fooled. His quick hands and exceptional barrel control allowed him to drive pitches in all parts of the strike zone, with the ball jumping off his bat to all fields. Managers voted him the league’s best power prospect and most exciting player. "There wasn’t, in my opinion, one way you could attack him,” Modesto manager Denny Hocking said. "I was just hoping to throw one down the middle and have him hit it at somebody.” Ramos’ effortless reads and routes help him play an above-average center field despite his thick frame. He projects to hit enough even if he moves to a corner.
• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #10 prospect in 2018
  Ramos' output was mediocre at best, but he showed flashes of potential in his first full season. He hit much better after a poor first two months, and evaluators remained optimistic he will grow to be a future above-average hitter with power. They wrote off many of Ramos' struggles as a result of him being one of the youngest players in the league. "I think it's a good swing," one scout said. "He drives the ball the other way. He stays in (against righthanders). I think he's on track." There's less certainty that Ramos will be able to stay in center field. Evaluators see his thick frame getting even bigger as he ages. He has present above-average speed to go with his power potential and bat speed, giving him enough tools to profile in a corner.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Complex League #3 prospect in 2017
  Ramos played his entire pro debut at age 17 after being selected with the 19th overall pick. Despite his youth and inexperience, Ramos was one of the AZL's top performers, coming just two percentage points from winning the batting title while leading all hitters in slugging (.645).

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #94 prospect in 2022
• Ranked Baseball America's #83 prospect in 2021
• Ranked Baseball America's #63 prospect in 2020
• Ranked Baseball America's #79 prospect in 2018

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: The Giants' first-round pick in 2017, Ramos has been one of the youngest players at every stop in the minor leagues and has appeared in three Futures Games. After a solid but unspectacular season at the upper levels in 2021, he scuffled at Triple-A in 2022 but made his major league debut on April 22. Ramos got into nine games with the Giants and struggled mightily, going 2-for-20.
  
  Scouting Report: A thickly-built righthanded hitter, Ramos hits balls hard when he connects. His 90.7 mph average exit velocity puts him in the upper tier of minor leaguers, but that hard contact is often on the ground. He's an aggressive swinger who frequently mishits balls and needs to improve his launch angle to get the ball in the air more. His strength and pure contact skills give him a chance to be a below-average hitter with average power if he can rein in his swing and approach, but it won't be easy. Defensively, Ramos has slowed to a below-average runner and will have to play a corner in the major leagues. His above-average arm fits best in right field.
  
  The Future: Ramos needs to retool his swing and approach to get more impact out of his hard contact. If he can, he has a chance to be an everyday right fielder. He'll likely shuttle between the majors and minors again in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 50. Speed: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 55.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: The Giants' first-round pick in 2017, Ramos has been one of the youngest players at every stop in the minor leagues and has appeared in three Futures Games. After a solid but unspectacular season at the upper levels in 2021, he scuffled at Triple-A in 2022 but made his major league debut on April 22. Ramos got into nine games with the Giants and struggled mightily, going 2-for-20.
  
  Scouting Report: A thickly-built righthanded hitter, Ramos hits balls hard when he connects. His 90.7 mph average exit velocity puts him in the upper tier of minor leaguers, but that hard contact is often on the ground. He's an aggressive swinger who frequently mishits balls and needs to improve his launch angle to get the ball in the air more. His strength and pure contact skills give him a chance to be a below-average hitter with average power if he can rein in his swing and approach, but it won't be easy. Defensively, Ramos has slowed to a below-average runner and will have to play a corner in the major leagues. His above-average arm fits best in right field.
  
  The Future: Ramos needs to retool his swing and approach to get more impact out of his hard contact. If he can, he has a chance to be an everyday right fielder. He'll likely shuttle between the majors and minors again in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 50. Speed: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 55.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Midseason Update: Although he&#39s had a few cameos in the big leagues, Ramos has simply not hit well in Triple-A over the past two seasons. There&#39s a sense among evaluators that he might be in between approaches at this point, which could be causing him to spin his wheels in the Pacific Coast League. Although he&#39s still got youth on his side—he doesn&#39t turn 23 until September—he needs to start hitting the ball with more authority, especially considering it&#39s looking more and more like he&#39ll be corner outfielder if and when he establishes himself in the big leagues.
  
  Track Record: Ramos was the Giants&#39 first-round selection out of high school in Puerto Rico in 2017 and has performed well during his climb through the minor leagues, usually as one of the younger players at every stop. Ramos has also been named to each of the last three Futures Games, including the 2021 version in Denver. Ramos closed 2019 at Double-A and returned there to begin 2021. By season&#39s end he&#39d reached Triple-A, where he got to play games against his brother, Henry, a journeyman who was playing for Triple-A Reno in the D-backs&#39 system.
  
  Scouting Report: After a strong showing at big league spring training, Ramos returned to Double-A to continue learning how to use the entire field. Previously, Ramos tended to work mostly toward his pull side, so in the regular season he focused more on going the opposite way. All the ingredients—bat speed, raw power, command of the strike zone—are there for Ramos to be an excellent offensive player once he reaches the big leagues. The bigger question is where he winds up playing. Despite a thicker body, it&#39s hard to find an evaluator who&#39s totally out on the idea of Ramos playing center field. He&#39s athletic and surprisingly quick for his size, but he&#39ll have to work hard to make sure those traits stay intact. If he does have to move to a corner, his bat would easily profile. His above-average arm would fit nicely in right field.
  
  The Future: Ramos is likely headed back to Triple-A in 2022, but the Giants&#39 roster has little in the way of cornerstone outfielders, so there should be plenty of chances for him to hit his way to the majors.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Ramos was the Giants’ first-round selection out of high school in Puerto Rico in 2017 and has performed well during his climb through the minor leagues, usually as one of the younger players at every stop. Ramos has also been named to each of the last three Futures Games, including the 2021 version in Denver. Ramos closed 2019 at Double-A and returned there to begin 2021. By season’s end he’d reached Triple-A, where he got to play games against his brother, Henry, a journeyman who was playing for Triple-A Reno in the D-backs’ system.
  
  Scouting Report: After a strong showing at big league spring training, Ramos returned to Double-A to continue learning how to use the entire field. Previously, Ramos tended to work mostly toward his pull side, so in the regular season he focused more on going the opposite way. All the ingredients—bat speed, raw power, command of the strike zone—are there for Ramos to be an excellent offensive player once he reaches the big leagues. The bigger question is where he winds up playing. Despite a thicker body, it’s hard to find an evaluator who’s totally out on the idea of Ramos playing center field. He’s athletic and surprisingly quick for his size, but he’ll have to work hard to make sure those traits stay intact. If he does have to move to a corner, his bat would easily profile. His above-average arm would fit nicely in right field.
  
  The Future: Ramos is likely headed back to Triple-A in 2022, but the Giants’ roster has little in the way of cornerstone outfielders, so there should be plenty of chances for him to hit his way to the majors.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Running: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Ramos has moved quickly after the Giants drafted him 19th overall in 2017, reaching Double-A at 19 years old in 2019 even though he missed time with a knee injury. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site and instructional league before an oblique strain ended his season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Ramos is a thick, stocky outfielder who is built like a fullback and has a mixture of skills that are average or slightly above. Giants officials were pleased with his at-bats at the alternate site, especially with how he adjusted to the way pitchers attacked him. He was previously vulnerable to sliders down and away, but after last summer he no longer shows a weakness against any single pitch. As long as Ramos maintains that, his quick hands, balance and excellent barrel control should make him at least an average hitter with above-average power. Defensively, Ramos' average speed and good route-running make him playable in center field despite his body type. He's still better suited for a corner spot, with his above-average arm fitting in right field.
  
  THE FUTURE: Ramos will head to an upper-level affiliate to start 2021. He has the potential to be an above-average, everyday outfielder and should be in San Francisco by 2022.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Running: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Ramos has moved quickly after the Giants drafted him 19th overall in 2017, reaching Double-A at 19 years old in 2019 even though he missed time with a knee injury. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site and instructional league before an oblique strain ended his season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Ramos is a thick, stocky outfielder who is built like a fullback and has a mixture of skills that are average or slightly above. Giants officials were pleased with his at-bats at the alternate site, especially with how he adjusted to the way pitchers attacked him. He was previously vulnerable to sliders down and away, but after last summer he no longer shows a weakness against any single pitch. As long as Ramos maintains that, his quick hands, balance and excellent barrel control should make him at least an average hitter with above-average power. Defensively, Ramos’ average speed and good route-running make him playable in center field despite his body type. He’s still better suited for a corner spot, with his above-average arm fitting in right field.
  
  THE FUTURE: Ramos will head to an upper-level affiliate to start 2021. He has the potential to be an above-average, everyday outfielder and should be in San Francisco by 2022.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Running: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Ramos has moved quickly after the Giants drafted him 19th overall in 2017, reaching Double-A at 19 years old in 2019 even though he missed time with a knee injury. He spent 2020 at the alternate training site and instructional league before an oblique strain ended his season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Ramos is a thick, stocky outfielder who is built like a fullback and has a mixture of skills that are average or slightly above. Giants officials were pleased with his at-bats at the alternate site, especially with how he adjusted to the way pitchers attacked him. He was previously vulnerable to sliders down and away, but after last summer he no longer shows a weakness against any single pitch. As long as Ramos maintains that, his quick hands, balance and excellent barrel control should make him at least an average hitter with above-average power. Defensively, Ramos’ average speed and good route-running make him playable in center field despite his body type. He’s still better suited for a corner spot, with his above-average arm fitting in right field.
  
  THE FUTURE: Ramos will head to an upper-level affiliate to start 2021. He has the potential to be an above-average, everyday outfielder and should be in San Francisco by 2022.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Ramos’ athletic bloodlines and baseball skills showed up often in his amateur days, which led the Giants to spend $3.1 million on him in the first round of the 2017 draft. The organization was so impressed by his talent and makeup that they jumped him to the South Atlantic League on Opening Day 2018 and he struggled to perform against more advanced competition. The Giants made the move knowing failure was a possibility and believed his strong makeup would allow him to rebound.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The first key to Ramos’ rebound was improved pitch-recognition. The Giants noticed the improvement immediately in the high Class A California League. The improved approach combined with a much better body composition also led to an increase in power. Despite missing time with a knee injury, Ramos socked a career-best 16 homers. There’s still a chance Ramos sticks in center field, but he could move to a corner depending on how his body develops as he matures.
  
  THE FUTURE: In the Arizona Fall League and Double-A Eastern League, Ramos showed a need to continue refining his approach. If he can do that, he has a future as an above-average everyday outfielder with hitting ability and power.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Ramos' athletic bloodlines and baseball skills showed up often in his amateur days, which led the Giants to spend $3.1 million on him in the first round of the 2017 draft. The organization was so impressed by his talent and makeup that they jumped him to the South Atlantic League on Opening Day 2018 and he struggled to perform against more advanced competition. The Giants made the move knowing failure was a possibility and believed his strong makeup would allow him to rebound.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The first key to Ramos' rebound was improved pitch-recognition. The Giants noticed the improvement immediately in the high Class A California League. The improved approach combined with a much better body composition also led to an increase in power. Despite missing time with a knee injury, Ramos socked a career-best 16 homers. There's still a chance Ramos sticks in center field, but he could move to a corner depending on how his body develops as he matures.
  
  THE FUTURE: In the Arizona Fall League and Double-A Eastern League, Ramos showed a need to continue refining his approach. If he can do that, he has a future as an above-average everyday outfielder with hitting ability and power.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Ramos showed a special blend of hitting ability and power at San Jose, hitting for average (.306) and power (.500 slugging) despite playing his home games in a hitter’s graveyard. Ramos took an advanced approach, stayed balanced in his swing and was rarely fooled. His quick hands and exceptional barrel control allowed him to drive pitches in all parts of the strike zone, with the ball jumping off his bat to all fields. Managers voted him the league’s best power prospect and most exciting player. "There wasn’t, in my opinion, one way you could attack him,” Modesto manager Denny Hocking said. "I was just hoping to throw one down the middle and have him hit it at somebody.” Ramos’ effortless reads and routes help him play an above-average center field despite his thick frame. He projects to hit enough even if he moves to a corner.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Ramos is of the youngest players in the South Atlantic League and his youth has been apparent. So far he’s been overmatched in in the Sally League, expanding the strike zone too often and being surprisingly helpless against lefties. If Ramos can be more patient and work himself into better counts, he should start driving the ball more with his plus raw power. Ramos still projects as a power-speed center fielder, but he has a long way to go.