When Heliot Ramos was drafted as the Giants' first-round pick in 2017 at 17 years old, he said he wanted to be in the big leagues in just three years. It's becoming harder and harder to bet against him.
Ramos tore up the Arizona Rookie League last year, slashing .348/.404/.645 with six home runs and six triples in 35 games. And then he started off this season slow in Class A Augusta. While he had to be frustrated with the results, a bit of adversity on the field for someone with so much talent is exactly what Ramos needed.
Already 18 games into the season at 18 years old, Ramos has gone through ups and downs, but his recent stats show his maturity.
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Through the first nine games Ramos played in this season, he struck out 14 times and did not walk once. At that point, his on-base percentage was just .268. Not only was Ramos -- who is built like he belongs on the gridiron -- missing the ball, he only registered three extra base hits in those first nine games.
Looking at Ramos' last nine games with the GreenJackets is a whole different story.
Over that span, the Giants' top prospect is hitting .303 (10-for-33) with one double and two home runs. Perhaps most importantly, he has also only struck out five times in that time and walked four times. Watch the video below from Ramos' second home run and it's clear how quick his hands are.
San Francisco Giants
On the year, Ramos is now slashing .274/.338/.425 with two home runs, one triple and three doubles.
The strikeouts are down, the plate discipline is improving and the power is beginning to be unleashed for Ramos. There will be highs and lows for the teenager throughout the year in a league where he's looking up at his elders in the age column. More than anything, he's already showing he can make quick adjustments.