When the San Francisco Giants stunned the baseball landscape by acquiring Rafael Devers in a blockbuster trade on June 15, it instantly changed everything between the Giants and Boston Red Sox.
Devers, a two-time All-Star and one of MLB’s premier left-handed bats, has brought a much-needed boost to the Bay Area. The deal sent pitchers Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks to Boston.
But while Devers has quickly been deemed the face of the lineup with only one Giants appearance to his credit, another San Francisco player has been following their own respective journey.
Heliot Ramos could be the Giants hitter who benefits the most from Devers’ presence. Despite going hitless in his last three appearances, Ramos is back in the All-Star chatter for the second consecutive year. But he hasn’t secured his bid, just yet.
According to Will Leitch of MLB.com, Ramos ranks just 18th among National League outfielders — slashing .284/.363/.461 in 271 at-bats. He’s also in the league’s top-50 in wRC+ (133), per StatMuse.
Ramos’ Recent Slump Won’t Last
The 24-year-old has taken a leap this year. He’s emerged as one of the most reliable hitters in the Giants’ lineup, and ironically, Devers’ arrival could help bolster his All-Star chances.
“Who says the Giants didn’t have a star until they traded for Devers? Ramos is the ultimate Giants player: Quiet, unheralded, sneaky good and relentlessly productive, Leitch wrote Tuesday. “He was a key player for the Giants last year, with real power, but he wasn’t quite getting on base at the rate the Giants would have liked.”
“That has been rectified this year: He has raised his OBP a full 30 points without losing any of that power. He’ll make an All-Star Game at some point, no question, and 18th is certainly too low.”
The irony is hard to ignore. Part of it is timing. The Devers deal became the defining move of the summer before July even arrived.
Giants Now Have Doubled Production Ahead Of Them
As the Giants search for where Devers fits in the lineup and in the field, Ramos has already locked himself into both. He’s been producing with just steady, dependable output, becoming one of the game’s more intriguing breakout players.
The MLB All-Star Game is often viewed as a popularity contest. But it’s also supposed to reward those who have earned it. And if that’s the standard, then Ramos has more than met it.
Devers has rightfully shifted the narrative in San Francisco, adding star power while the lineup awaits the return of Matt Chapman from IL. In 272 at-bats before arriving to the Giants, Devers had 15 homers and 58 RBIs. He went 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and two strikeouts in Tuesday’s debut.
He’s already making the most of the trade. A refreshed demeanor, and open to whatever role the Giants need him to master.
But fans shouldn’t lose sight of one of their biggest sluggers who has gotten them to this point. Ramos is determined to reach his second consecutive All-Star Game in 2025. Now is the time to recover his previous form, and let the votes catch up.
Giants Slugger’s All-Star Aspirations Predicted To Change Amid Rafael Devers Hysteria