Giants' Heliot Ramos vows to improve defense after tough 2025 season

Outfielder says he's worked hard to regain confidence and focus after mental spiral over poor play

Feb. 21, 2026 at 3:18am by Ben Kaplan

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San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos struggled defensively in left field during the 2025 season, making several mistakes that shook his confidence. Ramos says he spent the offseason working to get back on track, with help from new first base coach Shane Robinson, who provided tips on positioning and footwork. Ramos is confident he can be a Gold Glove-caliber left fielder, but acknowledges he's not an elite center fielder like Byron Buxton.

Why it matters

Ramos was a key part of the Giants' lineup in 2024, making the All-Star team, but his defensive struggles in 2025 impacted his entire game. The Giants are counting on Ramos to bounce back and solidify their outfield defense in 2026.

The details

Ramos' defensive issues began on July 20, 2025 in Toronto when he misjudged a fly ball that led to a pair of runs scoring. That play shook his confidence, and he started overthinking every defensive play, which carried over to his offense and baserunning. Ramos dealt with plantar fasciitis and a hamstring injury that also impacted his play. His minus-9 outs above average ranked in the bottom 3 percentile in the league, and the Giants' outfield defense was the worst in the NL.

  • Ramos' defensive struggles began on July 20, 2025 in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
  • Ramos started the process of regaining his confidence in December 2025 when he first stepped back on the field at the team's complex in Arizona.

The players

Heliot Ramos

A San Francisco Giants outfielder who struggled defensively in left field during the 2025 season, but is confident he can bounce back and be a Gold Glove-caliber defender.

Shane Robinson

The Giants' new first base coach, who has expertise in baserunning and outfield coaching and has provided Ramos with tips on positioning and footwork to help him improve defensively.

Harrison Bader

A Gold Glove center fielder who the Giants acquired and who Ramos believes will benefit the entire outfield through his communication and leadership.

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What they’re saying

“That was kind of a big deal for me mentally. I was like, 'Oh, my god, I gotta do something. I gotta fix my stuff.'”

— Heliot Ramos (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Last year was my first full year in the big leagues. There's no excuse, obviously, it doesn't matter, but I saw how quick the game can get on you if you get in your head. I was working a lot mentally, a lot physically, trying to feel my best, trying to be my best.”

— Heliot Ramos (San Francisco Chronicle)

“You know how Oracle Park gets. Fans are loud, fans are great. So at the end of the day, it's about how we move in practice, how we move in games and communicate before every pitch. Overall, Bader is going to make us better. Not because he can get the impossible ball.”

— Heliot Ramos (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Ramos will continue working with the Giants' coaching staff throughout spring training to refine his defensive positioning and technique, with the goal of regaining his confidence and becoming a Gold Glove-caliber left fielder in 2026.

The takeaway

Ramos' struggles in 2025 highlight the mental aspect of the game and how quickly confidence can be shaken, even for talented players. His willingness to acknowledge his mistakes and work to improve shows maturity, and the Giants are hopeful he can bounce back and solidify their outfield defense this season.