Luciano, Ramos eager for future
DENVER — Future Giant Marco Luciano was conducting an interview Sunday in which former Giant Gregor Blanco served as interpreter.
When asked whether his timetable to reach the majors would be late in the 2022 season or perhaps early in 2023, Luciano didn’t need help with the question.
The 19yearold shortstop flashed a confident smile and said, “Maybe.”
Luciano, the Giants’ shortstop of the future, played in Sunday’s Futures Game at Coors
Field, a competition involving the sport’s elite prospects and a warmup for Tuesday’s All-Star Game.
Teaming with fellow Giants prospect Heliot Ramos on the National League squad, which beat the American League 83, Luciano popped out and walked. Ramos struck out in his only atbat.
If all goes according to plan, it won’t be the last time they’re teammates. It’s not difficult to imagine Luciano and Ramos at Oracle Park running out to their positions as mainstays in the Giants’ lineup.
“Of course,” Ramos said. “Marco’s got the talent. He’s a good kid. If he continues working at it, he can be a bigleague shortstop, but he’s got the pop to play third.”
Ramos was speaking as a veteran, all of 21 years old and a threetime participant in the Futures Game. Which, on the surface, might not necessarily be a good thing when the goal is the majors. But in Ramos’ case, he was such a highly ranked prospect in his teens, he didn’t hesitate when asked.
“It’s cool. Not everyone’s done that,” Ramos said. “It feels great to be back here and around all these players.”
Luciano has the pop, all right. His 14 home runs in 54 games with LowA San Jose ranked most on the National League roster — only one other hitter was in double digits — and tied with the American League leader, Nick Pratto, a first baseman in the Royals’ system.
Sunday, Luciano might have been overamped when popping up a 22 fastball down the middle of the plate thrown by Hector Yan of the Angels. Next time up, Luciano fouled off a 30 fastball from Luis Medina (Yankees) before drawing a walk.
Ramos, facing Marcos Diplan of the Orioles, swung for the moon on a 20 fastball (and missed) and worked the count to 32 before looking at strike three, the only curve in the atbat.
Luciano and Ramos have taken different paths this season. Luciano struggled in spring training but came alive once the season started, and Ramos was one of the Giants’ most productive players in bigleague camp, winning the Barney Nugent Award for top newcomer, but has struggled at DoubleA Richmond.
“Things happen,” Ramos said. “I got lost a little bit. I’m getting back to my thing. Working with the coaches and feeling better. I’m trying to look for my pitch and calm down in the box, relax and let my talent go.”
Ramos is batting .237 with a .317 onbase percentage, eight homers and 68 strikeouts in 215 atbats. He especially struggled with a .155 June but has been hitting better in July and collected four hits in two games preceding the break.
In spring training, Ramos spoke of joining the Giants sooner rather than later, and why not? His hard contact, impressive range and strong arm seemed to keep him on the fast track, but Ramos must prove himself in DoubleA and likely TripleA before he gets his shot.
“It would’ve been nice, honestly, I’m not going to lie,” Ramos said of breaking camp with the Giants. “I’ll let things happen and fall into place.”
Luciano is hitting .262 with a .357 onbase percentage and .896 OPS. Some of his homers have been tapemeasure shots, and he cleared the wall four times in a threegame stretch in late June.
“Everything I learned from other players who gave me advice in spring training, I tried to take into the regular season,” Luciano said. “Defensively, I’m working on positioning, fundamentals and attacking every ball.”
Asked whether he’s surprised with his home run total, Luciano said, “No. I’ve been eating well and working hard.”
His spring training struggles were a result of “trying to do too much,” he said. “Now, in the season, I’m going pitch by pitch and trying to take the same approach in each atbat.”
As for anticipating his bigleague debut, Luciano said, “When I’m ready, when it’s decided I’m ready, I’ll be prepared.”