Raking Ramos wins '21 Barney Nugent Award

Outfielder Heliot Ramos was recognized for his breakout performance in Cactus League play, winning the 2021 Barney Nugent Award, which is given to the Giants player who performed the best in their first big league camp.

“It means a lot to me,” Ramos said of the award that’s voted on by players, coaches and training staff. “They’re my teammates, they’re my staff. It’s nice that they can see that and that they gave me that award.”

Ramos, the Giants’ No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was an easy pick for the honor, having been one of the Giants’ best hitters this spring. In 20 Cactus League games, Ramos has hit .417 with three home runs, including a multihomer game against the Reds early in camp.

In Sunday’s 9-3 loss to the A’s, Ramos further proved why he was a deserving recipient of the award, roping an opposite-field hustle double on the first pitch he saw in a pinch-hit appearance. Ramos would later score by turning on the afterburners again on Brandon Crawford’s RBI ground out to first base.

Manager Gabe Kapler revealed postgame that Ramos wasn’t originally slated to hit on Sunday, but the young outfielder fought to get an at-bat. Kapler described Ramos’ eagerness as “unusual and very refreshing.”

The outfielder performed well enough to survive the team’s first round of roster cuts, outlasting fellow top prospects Marco Luciano and Joey Bart. Ramos, however, didn’t make it past the second wave of cuts and was reassigned to Minor League camp last week -- but making it past the chopping block once was a symbol of progress.

“I showed that I can go hard and I can go after it,” Ramos said.

Ramos, 21, wasn’t a true candidate for the Opening Day roster, having not played higher than Double-A Richmond. He'll begin the season at either Double-A or Triple-A, but he could make his Major League debut sometime this season, a possibility that Kapler called a "realistic goal.”

Before grazing Oracle Park’s spacious outfield, though, Ramos will need additional seasoning. When asked about where he’d like to improve, Ramos mentioned defense and plate discipline -- the two areas of his game that have been a work in progress. Regarding the latter, Ramos has only drawn one walk this spring in 37 plate appearances, though he did have a solid explanation as to why.

“They just throw pitches right there,” Ramos said with a laugh. “If they throw it right there, I’m not going to miss it.”

Ramos did provide more nuance to that answer, saying that some counts ran to 2-2 or 3-2, but he ultimately saw too many pitches in the zone to be passive.

A more mature, selective approach at the plate is the next step in his growth. In his Minors career, Ramos has drawn walks in less than eight percent of his plate appearances (7.70 walk rate), a mark that would be well-below the Major League average.

To Ramos’ credit, he has improved in that department. In 2017 and '18, Ramos drew 45 walks in 686 plate appearances. Ramos came close to matching that figure in '19 alone, totaling 42 walks in 444 plate appearances. Should Ramos continue refining his approach and hunting hittable pitches, the outfielder could arrive ahead of schedule.

“The sky is the limit,” Kapler said earlier this spring. “The talent is undeniable. This is more looking for it to be consistent and have it all come together.”

La Stella exits early
Infielder Tommy La Stella has been diagnosed with a left knee contusion and is day to day, Kapler announced postgame.

La Stella was hit by a pitch just below his knee in the bottom of the third inning, which caused the injury. He remained in the game, but got up gingerly after sliding into second. Following the frame, he was removed from the game and replaced at third base by Jason Vosler.

The infielder said he could continue, according to Kapler, but the Giants chose to exercise caution.

La Stella has had bad injury luck with his legs in the past -- he fractured his right tibia in 2019 while with the Angels after fouling a pitch off his shin. The injury caused him to miss out on his first All-Star Game.

Roster moves
The Giants announced a trio of roster moves prior to Sunday’s game against the A’s, optioning outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. and reassigning non-roster invitees Scott Kazmir (LHP) and Shun Yamaguchi (RHP).

These transactions mean that first baseman Brandon Belt, who made his Cactus League debut Wednesday, has a good shot of making the Opening Day roster.

Belt has spent much of Spring Training rehabbing from an October heel surgery, as well as recovering from COVID-19 and mononucleosis. The first baseman only has six plate appearances in Cactus League play, but he has gotten plate appearances in simulated games.

Wade fit the Giants’ organizational philosophy of positional versatility, having played first base in addition to all three spots in the outfield. He flashed some pop and speed in Spring Training, hitting two home runs and stealing two bases, though he hit just .182 in 44 at-bats.

“I think it was a positive camp for him,” Kapler said. “Didn’t always have the best outcomes and results, but the process was strong.”

Worth noting
Johnny Cueto was originally slated to start against the A’s on Sunday, but transitioned to a simulated game. Kapler said Cueto hit his pitch count and called the performance a “professional outing.”

Next up
Right-hander Logan Webb will start for the Giants in their final Cactus League game on Monday at 12:05 p.m. PT against the A’s at Hohokam Stadium. Lefty Sean Manaea will be on the hill for Oakland.