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The National League West was once considered a powerhouse, with the Dodgers, Padres, Diamondbacks, and Giants all trying to contend. Los Angeles is currently the only team in the division above .500, holding a seven-game lead over the second-place Padres. Arizona and San Francisco are tied for third place at 24-26.
The D-backs have shown their capabilities, exemplified by their unexpected NL pennant run in 2023. The Giants, meanwhile, have undergone many changes since posting the best record in franchise history (107-55) just three seasons ago under now-fired manager Gabe Kapler. They parted ways with longtime shortstop Brandon Crawford last offseason. They brought in former Mets All-Star Michael Conforto in January 2023 and two-time Gold Glover Nick Ahmed from the Diamondbacks in February 2024, with Bob Melvin taking over managerial duties.
After a rough first year in the Bay Area, Conforto began to bounce back this season. He was on a tear -- slashing .435/.519/.826 with two home runs, four RBI, and four walks in his last seven games -- before landing on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain. He has a .821 OPS across 154 overall plate appearances. Ahmed, known more for his defensive prowess, is on the injured list with a wrist sprain. One of the club's biggest offseason signings, Jung Hoo Lee, is on the 60-day injured list and is not expected to return this year after dislocating his shoulder. San Fran is pretty banged up, so who has stepped up in their place? That would be the trio of youngsters: Luis Matos, Marco Luciano, and Heliot Ramos. Do these three have rest-of-season appeal, and what should expectations be based on their skill sets and performances thus far?
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Luis Matos, OF (50%)
Luis Matos made his big league debut last June and got into 76 games for the Giants, posting a .661 OPS along with 13 doubles, two homers, 14 RBI, 20 walks, and 33 strikeouts in 253 PAs. It was a promising start to his MLB career for the young outfielder. But despite this and a strong showing in spring training, he failed to make the Opening Day roster.
It wasn't until May 12 that Matos was called up for an extended stay, and he's since batted .367 with two home runs and 17 RBI in nine games. Yes, you read that correctly. 17 RBI. Nine games. Matos combined for 11 RBI in two games against the Rockies last week, helping the Giants to a three-game sweep. His performance earned him NL Player of the Week.
After putting up a historic week for the #SFGiants, @LuisMatoss24 has been crowned the NL Player of the Week 👑 pic.twitter.com/CdTZeiys5r
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) May 20, 2024
Obviously, that pace isn't sustainable, but it makes the 22-year-old an intriguing option on the waiver wire. He's certainly worth the add right now during his hot streak, but he has long-term appeal as well. Matos has slotted into the leadoff spot for San Francisco, collecting at least one hit in seven of his nine games, including four multi-hit games. He's also significantly reduced his strikeouts, whiffing only once in 40 at-bats.
Marco Luciano, SS (2%)
Recalled on May 14 after debuting in July 2023, Marco Luciano has hit the ground running much like Matos and batted .333 with two doubles, an RBI, three walks, and four strikeouts in six games. It's a small sample size, but the 22-year-old has thus far come as advertised.
Marco Luciano knocks in a key insurance run 💪 pic.twitter.com/ILenSqaXqT
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) May 18, 2024
According to MLB.com, Luciano is the Giants' No. 1 prospect and 44th overall prospect. His scouting report boasted of his bat speed and dynamic right-handed swing, which generated impressive exit velocities and exceptional raw power in the minor leagues. Additionally, it addressed his ability to utilize the entire field and draw his fair share of walks, though his aggressive approach at the plate has led to inconsistencies.
Luciano hit 56 homers in 326 games in the minors. He's still searching for his first long ball since his debut, but once that power translates to the majors, watch out. The Dominican shortstop is the real deal, and if he continues to produce at the plate, he will likely take over the everyday shortstop role.
Heliot Ramos, OF (1%)
Selected 19th overall in the 2017 MLB Draft, Heliot Ramos debuted with the Giants in 2022. He's bounced around between the majors and minors ever since, struggling to find consistency at the MLB level. This saw him drop from San Fran's No. 6 overall prospect in 2022 to No. 20 in 2023. Perhaps 2024 is the start of new things for Ramos, however.
Can we talk about Heliot Ramos?
He’s got 132 wRC+ in 11 games since being called back up from Triple-A and has been a sparkplug for this struggling Giants offense! pic.twitter.com/FJ0CwesxCa
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) May 19, 2024
Since being recalled from Triple-A on May 8, the 24-year-old has slashed a respectable .280/.333/.400 with a home run, three doubles, six runs, eight RBI, and four walks in 13 games. Ramos has struck out 16 times in 50 at-bats, but his 132 wRC+ is an encouraging sign for the right-handed hitter. Even Ramos himself feels this stint in the bigs differs from years past.
"[I'm] trying to stay positive... keep working the way I work," he said. "I talk to my family, my wife, everybody, and everybody's like, you must stay positive. You have to keep a good mindset."
Ramos may not have as high of an upside as Matos or Luciano, but his manager has credited him with sparking the youth movement: "The start of this whole younger wave thing started with [Ramos] and the impact that he gave us the minute he got here," said Melvin.
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