What the SF Giants are getting in the Heliot Ramos trade with the New York Yankees

Right before the trade deadline on Monday, the SF Giants shipped Heliot Ramos to the New York Yankees for infielder Kaeden Kent and pitcher Henry LaLane. What are they getting in return?

The obvious note is the name recognition. Kaeden is the son of Giants Hall of Famer Jeff Kent. Interestingly, the Giants will celebrate the elder Kent later this month by retiring his No. 21.

The Giants operated at a pick deficit in the 2024 and 2025 drafts due to a combination of crossing the luxury tax and signing players who rejected a qualifying offer. Kent was a third-round pick out of Texas A&M last summer, so in a sense, the Giants added a relatively high pick in the deal.

In his first full year, the left-handed bat is slashing .302/.359/.433 (107 wRC+) with six home runs, 43 RBI, and 55 runs in 354 plate appearances in High-A. This includes an 8.2 percent walk rate, 16.1 percent strikeout rate, and .131 ISO. He also has 20 steals in 24 chances.

Newest SF Giants infield prospect brings a good hit tool and speed to the table

Kent does not have a ton of raw power, but he does well to use what he has. He is pulling the ball in the air in 16.5 percent of batted-ball events. He also has quality contact skills and does a nice job at staying in the zone. Kent is an aggressive hitter in the zone, which is a good indicator for swing decisions.

Ryan Garcia, who covers the Yankees for Fireside Yankees, likes Kent's offensive profile and thinks it could translate well to Oracle Park some day:

"Kaeden Kent is a hit-first infielder with solid speed and defensive abilities up the middle, his power leaves a lot to be desired and I question how his on-base percentage will look in MLB but his ability to spray line drives everywhere will pair well in San Francisco's cavernous outfields."

Ryan Garcia on Kaeden Kent

The Giants have a lot of middle infielders across their affiliates, and Kent has experience at several infield positions. He will likely wear a few different hats on defense.

In addition to this, the Giants also acquired tall lefty Henry LaLane. He joined the Yankees during the 2021 international free agency cycle. He earned a $350,000 signing bonus.

LaLane has had a gradual ascent up the minor league ladder, reaching as high as High-A in six minor league seasons. His arm is still very green with experience. This season has proven to be his longest look yet on the mound. He has pitched to a 2.77 ERA with 98 strikeouts and 26 walks in 78 frames split across two levels. Garcia likes the upside that LaLane offers, but identifies what he needs to do to get there:

"Henry Lalane operates in the 94-95 MPH range on his fastball with an excellent changeup that pairs well off of his fastball and a big breaking ball as well. He struggles with command and could use a fourth pitch, but his ability to miss bats alongside his projectable frame should allow him to become a no. 4 starter with no. 2-3 upside."

Ryan Garcia and Henry LaLane

At 6-foot-7, the southpaw pitcher is one of the taller pitchers across the minors. That usually leads to a longer development path, as many tall pitchers need more time to find consistent mechanics. That said, his height does lead to naturally above-average extension, meaning his fastball tends to get in on hitters a little quicker.

LaLane is already eligible for the Rule 5 draft, so the Giants will have a decision to make in the offseason. Of course, the potential lockout could alter those plans. During last cycle's lockout, MLB skipped the Rule 5 draft entirely.

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