SF Giants’ outfield puzzle is about to get much harder to solve

Welcoming back a one-time All-Star outfielder should just be a positive update for any major-league team. For these SF Giants, the near-return of Heliot Ramos also brings up a lot of uncertainty and not that many options to sort through.

After missing a month and a half due to a quad strain suffered while trying to make a sliding catch against the A's, Ramos is nearing a return and could be back in the lineup as soon as this weekend against the Atlanta Braves at Oracle Park. The 26-year-old made six appearances in Triple-A, going 7-for-23 (.304) with a double, a home run, and three walks.

Ramos will return to a very different team than the one he left when he was placed on the injured list on May 16. Casey Schmitt, who had never made a start in the outfield at the time, is now considered an everyday player in left field. Jung Hoo Lee has solidified his status as a locked-in starter in right field. Bryce Eldridge has burst onto the scene and needs to be in the lineup on a daily basis, and rookie Victor Bericoto has made the most of every opportunity he's been given.

Inserting Ramos back into the lineup is a positive, no matter how much it complicates roster decisions. His return will bolster a group of right-handed hitters that ranks just 14th in MLB in batting average (.241) and 14th in OPS (.707), and owns a 96 wRC+. Ramos, who posted a .895 OPS against lefties before getting injured, also brings power against left-handed pitching to a team that ranks 15th in OPS against southpaws (.702). But as mentioned before, it also creates a big logjam, one with few clear solutions.

Limited paths out of this logjam for the Giants

The Giants probably wouldn't be in this situation if Schmitt hadn't been the team's most consistent hitter so far this season. Almost halfway through the season, the Giants' Swiss Army knife leads the club in home runs (16), has collected the third-most hits (85), is tied with Matt Chapman for the most RBIs (42), and has developed into an immovable part of this lineup.

The designated hitter spot is locked up for the foreseeable future as long as Rafael Devers and Eldridge are on the same roster, so Schmitt would have to occupy a spot either around the diamond or in left field.

One realistic solution is to move Ramos to right field, use Lee in center, and keep Schmitt in his recently learned position in the left corner. Playing center field won't be a problem for Lee, who's made 191 starts there, but the same can't be said for Ramos in right.

During his five-season career, Ramos has started just 19 games in right field, and Oracle Park isn't known as the easiest ballpark to pick up the position. His two starts there during his rehab assignment hint at the fact that Tony Vitello and his coaching staff have at least considered the idea. The last time Ramos made a start in right field in a major-league game was in September 2024.

If the Giants are too hesitant about taking a bet in the outfield, a trade could solve a big chunk of the problem. One that feels almost inevitable.

Barring a miraculous turnaround, this team isn't headed in the right direction, meaning some of its most productive players will be popular on the trade market, including second baseman Luis Arraez. Arraez is currently nursing a minor injury in his right foot but is considered day-to-day. Trading him would — in addition to netting a decent haul — free up a spot at second base, a position Schmitt is very familiar with.

Finally, the Giants could decide to trade Ramos and put their trust in a player they placed a bet on eight years ago and who has been performing well lately: Victor Bericoto, whom the Giants signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2018 for $25,000. Were Ramos to come back in great shape, meaning mashing left-handed pitchers just like he did during his 2024 season, when he was named an All-Star, contending teams might be willing to send an appealing offer to acquire his services.

Such a situation would be telling of the way the front office envisions to handle the rest of what appears to be a lost season, from a playoff-hopes standpoint. Deciding to trade Ramos would strongly indicate a willingness to prioritize development. Sticking with him — assuming he looks sharp and Bericoto continues to produce — would hint at a preference to ride with the initial core. One thing is certain: Bericoto is ready to prove his worth.

The rookie's been great lately

Since being called up on May 22, the 24-year-old rookie has already showcased his power by homering three times in just 26 major-league at-bats, including two long shots over his last two games against the Athletics. First, there was the walk-off home run on Wednesday: 108.7 mph off the bat, 445 feet, with a few sidesteps for style points. Then, less than 24 hours later, in the sixth inning: a two-run home run, 108.7 mph off the bat, 445 feet over the center-field fence. Two almost identical beauties.

But it wasn't just the bat. He also showed off his arm by making a couple of sharp throws, including a 93 mph dot to the plate that prevented a run.

Vitello described his rookie as "hitterish," comparing him to a shooter in basketball, the type of player every coach is looking for. In spring training this year, Bericoto was one of the revelations, batting .419 with a 1.120 OPS in 21 games and delivering big hit after big hit. Vitello also compared his presence at the plate to Eldridge's, though Bericoto is "only" 6-foot-1 compared to Eldridge's 6-foot-7.

In his first stint in the big leagues, he hasn't been given many opportunities, with just 26 at-bats and seven starts in over a month since joining the major-league roster. Prior to his two starts against the A's, he was put in a rough situation in Miami a few days ago. With two runners on, two outs, and the game on the line, Vitello decided to use his rookie as a pinch hitter for Eric Haase. Having not taken an official at-bat in 10 days, Bericoto flew out, and the game ended.

This time, he had to wait just three days before getting his next shot, and he made it count. In his postgame press conference, Vitello emphasized Bericoto's work ethic and ability to keep his confidence while also staying ready. Despite not receiving regular playing time, Bericoto was one of the first players to arrive at the ballpark in Miami, even though, as Vitello mentioned, he has a lot of family and friends there.

On a sadder note, Bericoto was impacted by the tragic earthquakes that shook Venezuela on Wednesday. Bericoto learned just minutes before the game that his family was safe. He mentioned that some of his former baseball teammates had lost family members and everything they owned. His brother's girlfriend also lost her life. It's hard to even grasp the magnitude of such tragic events, so for Bericoto to compete under those circumstances is nothing short of remarkable.

For the Giants, the next few weeks are going to be busy and revealing. From their desperate and continued hunt for wins to the trade deadline approaching, their outfield situation is just one of multiple talking points. The thing with that one is that there might just be more questions than answers.

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