On Saturday’s off-day for the Giants in the Cactus League, the team made a small trimming of players to be sent to minor league camp, including one of the talks of the camp, Heliot Ramos.

The 21-year old outfielder Ramos joins OF Steven Duggar, infielder Jason Krizan, and pitchers Sam Long and Anthony Banda in the “trip” to the non-existent minor league camp.  Since minor league camp won’t open until April 1st, the five will continue to work with the big leaguers.  All that’s changed is that they know they won’t be on the Opening Day roster.

The cuts bring the Giants to 42 players left officially on the spring roster, and it needs to be cut to 26 by Opening Day.

Ramos had hit 11-for-28 (.393) with three home runs, six RBI, and a stolen base in 13 exhibition games.  He had survived longer than most of the prospects around his young age, who were all cut last Monday, because he had an impressive showing in camp.  However, he was never considered a realistic prospect for Opening Day due to only having a limited number of games above single-A level ball.

The move does bring a little more clarity to the team’s outfield picture, as Duggar was in the mix for a role due to his ability to play center field, perhaps as the best defensive center fielder on the spring roster.  He was 6-for-22 with two home runs, eight walks and ten strikeouts in nine Cactus League games this season.

Jason Krizan leads the team in appearances this spring, having played in 16 games, and showing off his ability to play left field as well as the infield.  He hit 9-for-28 (.321) with three walks and eight strikeouts, and a double and two home runs.  However, it wasn’t enough to break through in a crowded outfield picture for him to get a chance to make his major league debut.

Sam Long has impressed in camp with his 97 mph fastball after being signed as a minor league free agent, but he’s given up four earned runs in 3.1 innings this spring, with two home runs.  He’s likely going to head to the minors to work as a starter.  He last played at High-A ball.

Anthony Banda has struggled a bit this spring, with five earned runs, seven total, allowed in 4.2 innings.  Banda has had scattered appearances with Tampa Bay in the majors over the last three years, mostly in relief, and should be headed to Sacramento to try and work things out.