Ramos hits first homer of Fall League
Jim Callis
@JimCallisMLBMESA, Ariz. -- Heliot Ramos is one of the youngest prospects in the Arizona Fall League and one of the most gifted as well. Given the way the first half of the season has gone, he theoretically could be one of the most frustrated as well.
A Giants outfielder playing with the Scottsdale Scorpions, Ramos entered Friday night's game against the Mesa Solar Sox with just five hits in 33 at-bats. He said he has tried to maintain a positive attitude despite hitting with hard luck, which continued when he lined out right at the shortstop in his first at-bat. He came through later with a three-run, opposite-field homer off right-hander Alex Lange (Tigers) to tie the contest at 5 in the eighth inning, setting the stage for DH Cullen Large's (Blue Jays) game-winning single in the 10th.
"It's been kind of tough but I feel like I've been doing a pretty good job." said Ramos, No. 50 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list. "I just want to stay hitting the ball hard and that's what I've been doing."
Hitting the ball hard is just one of many things Ramos does well. The 19th overall pick in the 2017 Draft as a Puerto Rican high schooler, he has considerable bat speed and strength that gives him power to all fields from the right side of the plate. He continues to improve his plate discipline, possesses solid speed and has the quickness and plus arm to play anywhere in the outfield.
San Francisco has pushed Ramos aggressively, having him spend the final month of the 2019 season in Double-A at age 19 before sending him to the Fall League. He hit a combined .290/.369/.481 with 16 homers this year and should arrive at Oracle Park by 2021 at the latest.
Ramos wasn't the only Giants prospect to homer on Friday night. Joey Bart, the No. 2 overall pick in 2018, smashed a two-run shot in the first inning against left-hander Kirk McCarty (Indians). Bart is tied for the league lead in homers with four and ranks first in on-base percentage (.559), slugging (.920) and OPS (1.479).
Scottsdale right-hander Spencer Howard (Phillies) is one of the Fall League's top pitching prospects and lived up to his reputation by hitting 99 mph with his fastball and also missing bats with his slider and changeup en route to striking out seven in 3 2/3 innings. He didn't allow a run in his first 8 2/3 innings of the season, though that streak ended when right fielder Jo Adell (Angels) turned a 96-mph heater into an RBI double in the third inning. Third baseman Isaac Paredes (Tigers) followed with an RBI triple against a 97-mph fastball.
The Scorpions improved to 7-6 with the victory, taking over sole possession of second place in the East Division, two games behind the Salt River Rafters. The Solar Sox dropped to 6-7 and last place in the East, three games out.