Sporting new blonde locks, Ramos ready to represent Puerto Rico in Classic

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Heliot Ramos has officially joined Team Rubio.

The Giants’ outfielder showed up to Scottsdale Stadium on Thursday morning sporting freshly dyed blonde hair, a longstanding tradition for Puerto Rican players who get to represent their homeland at the World Baseball Classic.

“It’s hard to get used to,” Ramos said. “I’ve never done it in my life, so it’s hard to get used to it.”

The new look seems to agree with him, as Ramos ended up blasting his first home run of the spring in the Giants' 11-3 loss to the Rockies on Thursday.

“He’s on edge about representing his country,” manager Tony Vitello said. “I think he’s kind of smelling that tournament a little bit.”

Ramos’ older brother, Henry, played for Team Puerto Rico in the 2023 WBC, so the 26-year-old always dreamed of getting his own opportunity to participate in the tournament one day. That Ramos will get a chance to open pool play on his native island will make the experience even more meaningful.

Puerto Rico is slated to compete in Pool A at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, giving the Boricuas home-field advantage for the first time since 2013.

“It’s going to be a proud moment,” Ramos said. “My family is going to be there. I always dreamed of that. My family always dreamed of that. My brother played in 2023. Now, I’m going to play. It’s something that’s very emotional for me and my family and everybody around me.”

Team Puerto Rico will be without All-Star shortstops Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa due to insurance issues, but the squad will still field a talented roster that includes closer Edwin Díaz, third baseman Nolan Arenado, right-hander Seth Lugo, outfielder Eddie Rosario and utility man Willi Castro.

“It’s going to be crazy,” said Ramos, who is planning to depart Giants camp on Sunday. “Every time there’s finals in the Puerto Rico Winter League, it gets packed. Now, it’s going to be ten times that. I’m excited. The fans are excited. I know we had a couple downs, but at the end of the day, we have to go out there and compete. I know those guys that are not going to be there are going to be cheering for us. Obviously, they’re always talking to us and all that.”

A 2024 All-Star, Ramos remained one of the Giants’ more consistent hitters in ‘25, when he batted .256 with a .728 OPS and 21 home runs over 157 games. Still, his defense took a notable step back in left field, where he recorded minus-9 Outs Above Average, tied with the Yankees’ Jasson Domínguez for the worst mark in the Majors at the position.

To get more proficient with the glove, Ramos spent the offseason working on angles, routes and being lighter on his feet so he can better react to plays and be quicker to the ball this year.

“Just being ready,” Ramos said. “Not kind of anticipate one play and then adjust. Just kind of being able to adjust on the fly. Just being able to read the bat, read the ball. Not freak out. Feeling like I’ve been there already. I feel like right now, I don’t have any holes in my game. It’s something that gives me peace.

“When I’m out there in the field, I don’t have to think about it, obviously. I feel like last year what messed me up was thinking about it too much. Just being in my head too much. Being up in the air, not knowing what to do. I put myself in a position now this offseason to where if something happens, I know I’m going to be ready. I’m not saying I’m not going to make any errors, but at the end of the day, I know I’m ready to make the right play. I know I’m ready to help the team.”

While he’s established himself as a starting outfielder for the Giants over the past two seasons, Vitello believes Ramos still has the ability to take another step forward in 2026 given his envious blend of youth and athleticism.

“He's done some electric things offensively and defensively,” Vitello said. “But he's also done some things that you know he needs to improve on. I think that's the nature of where he’s at. He’s an incredibly dynamic player that's still learning and still growing, and I don't think we've seen him reach his ceiling yet. The cool thing is, he's on a mission to reach his ceiling as soon as possible.”