Texas Rangers Draft Preview: Heliot Ramos

Texas Rangers draft preview: Tristen Lutz.

The 2017 MLB draft is on June 12, 2017. The Texas Rangers have two first round picks this year — their own selection, and a compensatory pick for losing Ian Desmond -- and both are late in the first round, at #26 and #29.

In advance of the draft, I am going to offer capsule reports on some of the guys who the Rangers could take with their picks.

Today, we are looking at Puerto Rico high school outfielder Heliot Ramos.

Heliot Ramos is a 6’2”, 185 lb. righthanded hitting outfielder at Leadership Christian Academy in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Baseball America has him at #28 on their board, while Keith Law has him at #21. BA describes him as having “loud” tools that include plus-plus run, plus arm and plus raw power, but says he’s a polarizing prospect due to some teams having questions about his ability to hit with wood. Law seems a little more bullish on the bat, saying he should general solid contact, and describing him as a potential all-around asset in center field. At first glance, he reminds somewhat of 2012 Rangers first rounder Lewis Brinson, who was thought to have terrific tools coming into the draft, but who had major questions about his hit tool.

Jonathan Mayo has Ramos sliding out of the first round in his latest mock draft, as do Jim Callis and Keith Law. BA has Ramos going at #35, to the Twins.

It obviously boils down to the individual team’s confidence level about the hit tool, but Ramos has a lot of tools, which the Rangers love, and he doesn’t turn 18 until September. He’s someone to keep an eye on when the Rangers pick.

Some video below: