SAN FRANCISCO — There was a different kind of buzz in San Jose this season, as two of the organization’s top prospects started in High-A ball at the same time. But less than a month into the season both are on the injured list.
The Giants put Heliot Ramos on San Jose's 7-day IL yesterday after experiencing left knee soreness after taking a swing Wednesday. The final diagnosis is still pending an MRI exam.
Ramos was the Giants’ top draft pick in 2017. Last year’s top pick, Joey Bart, is likely out until June after fracturing his left hand a couple of weeks ago.
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Ramos, like Bart, was off to a great start. He was hitting .270 with a .422 on-base percentage, five homers, and five doubles. After struggling with plate discipline last season in Augusta, Ramos had 14 walks in 19 games, getting nearly halfway to last season's total of 35.
The most impressive part is that Ramos is doing all this at the age of 19. He is one of the youngest players in the California League, and doing that kind of damage as a teenager is often an early sign of stardom as a big leaguer.
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At a time when guys like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are getting called up as 20-year-olds, the Giants generally have rookies who are more like 25 or 26. Assuming Ramos doesn't miss much time, he could get back on the fast track. It's not unreasonable to think that he's an option for the big league outfield at some point next season.