Ramos makes spring debut as he looks to lock down LF for Giants

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Heliot Ramos snapped a notable drought by becoming the first right-handed hitter to collect a splash hit at Oracle Park last year.

If he continues his streak-busting ways, he could have a chance to finally end the Giants’ revolving door in left field, as well.

The Giants have infamously started 18 different left fielders in their last 18 Opening Day lineups, a wild streak that dates back to Barry Bonds’ final season in 2007.

Michael Conforto started there for San Francisco last year, but he’s no longer part of the outfield mix after leaving to sign a one-year, $17 million contract with the rival Dodgers over the offseason. Enter Ramos, who is now projected to slide over to left field and become the 19th -- and he hopes final -- name to be added to the list for a while.

“I would love it,” Ramos said when asked about the possibility of breaking the streak. “It would be great. I’m positive that I could do that if I stay healthy and do what I do best.”

Manager Bob Melvin certainly wouldn’t mind seeing Ramos put an end to the constant turnover at the position.

“Hopefully we can get him two starts in a row, two years in a row, so we don’t have to keep answering that question about the starting left fielder,” Melvin said.

Ramos sat out the Giants’ first nine Cactus League games due to right oblique soreness, but he made his first start of the spring in left field in a 1-1 tie against the Padres at Peoria Sports Complex on Tuesday. The 25-year-old went 0-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base while logging five innings in the outfield.

“I felt great,” Ramos said. “I thought I was going to be a little bit more anxious, but I feel good.”

Ramos was among the first wave of cuts in Spring Training last year, but he’s now viewed as a key part of the Giants’ core after delivering his first career All-Star campaign in 2024, when he batted .269 with a .791 OPS and 22 home runs over 121 games.

Despite the breakthrough season, the Giants believe Ramos has the potential to take another step forward at the plate this year. While Ramos torched left-handed pitching (1.189 OPS), he wasn’t as productive against righties (.673 OPS) and will need to continue to evolve to stay more consistent in 2025.

“There are some adjustments to make with him, especially against right-handed pitching, whether it’s chasing balls up, chasing balls off,” Melvin said. “It was still a pretty good year. But I think he’s always trying to get better. I think it’s just getting the ball in the zone a little bit and maybe getting it down where he likes it a little bit better.”

Another goal for Ramos will be to try to be more aggressive on the basepaths this year. He stole six bases in 2024, but he said he’s aiming for at least 15 this season, especially now that he isn’t bothered by the plantar fasciitis that hampered him at times last year.

“I do want to steal more bases,” Ramos said. “I told them, ‘I just want to be ready for anything.’”

Roupp continues to make his case
Landen Roupp strengthened his bid for the final spot in the Giants’ rotation on Tuesday, striking out three over 3 1/3 hitless innings against the Padres. The 26-year-old right-hander has yet to give up a run over his first three Cactus League starts, racking up 11 strikeouts over 8 1/3 innings.

“It’s just a different level for him,” Melvin said. “He’s much more comfortable here now and pitching with a lot of confidence.”

Left-hander Kyle Harrison, who is also vying for the fifth starter spot, will make his second Cactus League outing against the D-backs on Wednesday and could still have an inside track on the job after spending all of last season in San Francisco’s rotation. Still, Roupp is intent on giving the Giants a lot to think about at the end of camp.

“It’s really encouraging,” Roupp said of his start to the spring. “It definitely gives me confidence going in. Whatever decision they decide to make is the one we’ll go with.”

Worth noting
Right-hander Jordan Hicks, who is projected to serve as the Giants’ No. 4 starter, threw 40 pitches in a Minor League game at the club’s Player Development Center at Papago Park on Tuesday, giving up one hit and striking out five over three innings.