Young SF Giants outfielder has signature moment on big stage at Rickwood Field

On a night when the SF Giants were honoring the best center-fielder in baseball history, another Giants center field, Heliot Ramos, had his signature moment on national television in front of all of the baseball world.

Young SF Giants outfielder has signature moment on big stage at Rickwood Field

Willie Mays passed away this past week at the age of 93 as the baseball world lost one of the icons of the sport. Just a few short days later, Ramos hit a tying three-run home run in the stadium where Mays began his illustrious professional baseball career. The Giants would eventually go on to lose the game 6-5 but Ramos' home run stands out as a signature moment that may have vaulted the young star into the national spotlight.

Since Ramos was recalled on May 8, Ramos has a 166 wRC+ (100 is avg) which is 14th in MLB over that time. Most notably, there is only one National League outfielder with better numbers over that time, Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies.

In less than two months, Ramos is 1st in wRC+, 3rd in BA, 4th in HR, 5th in fWAR, and 11th in RBIs among NL outfielders across the entire 2024 season. He has displayed plus defense in CF, something the Giants have desperately needed since Angel Pagan patrolled Oracle Park. He sits in the 79th percentile in OAA and 65th in arm value.

A down year in production around the league and Ramos' lightning start has vaulted the young star to the forefront of the All-Star consideration. If Ramos gets elected as a starting outfielder for the National League, he would become the first homegrown Giants outfielder to start an All-Star game since 1971, Willie Mays. Coincidence? I think not. For those wondering, Chili Davis was a homegrown All-Star outfielder in 1984, but he was not a starter.

The production is not the only reason Ramos is approaching the face of the franchise status. It's the pure swagger he exudes, similar to his predecessor. As Ramos was rounding third base after his pivotal home run at Rickwood he did something only Bonds and Willie would have the confidence to do, the shoulder shimmy of destiny.

Many players have the confidence to celebrate home runs with a little something extra but not many players with fewer than 100 career games played. It is not only the home runs but the walks that he celebrates with flair.

The young outfielder represents an entertaining and dynamic player the Giants have not produced in a long time. Any time that happens we have to start looking at Ramos as the shining star the Giants have been searching for.