Ramón Laureano

Ramón Laureano Bio

Ramón Emilio Laureano Jr. is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder who currently plays for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on July 15, 1994, Laureano has built a reputation as a versatile defender with a strong and accurate throwing arm from center field. He made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Oakland Athletics and has since played for the Cleveland Guardians, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, and San Diego Padres. Throughout his career, Laureano has demonstrated the ability to impact games both at the plate and in the field, earning opportunities with multiple organizations across Major League Baseball.

Early Life and Background

Ramón Laureano was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on July 15, 1994. He is the only son of Nina Laureano and Ramón Laureano Sr. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Laureano developed his passion for baseball in a country where the sport holds deep cultural significance. He honed his skills on the fields of Santo Domingo before pursuing higher education and baseball opportunities in the United States.

Laureano attended and played college baseball at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. The program provided him with a foundation in American baseball while showcasing his raw tools to professional scouts. His performance in junior college caught the attention of Major League Baseball teams, setting the stage for his professional career.

Path to Major League Baseball

Laureano entered the professional baseball pipeline when the Houston Astros selected him in the 16th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut that same year with the Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League, where he appeared in 16 games and batted .189 with one home run and two runs batted in. The transition from junior college to professional baseball presented challenges, but Laureano gained valuable experience in his inaugural professional season.

The following year, Laureano advanced to the Quad Cities River Bandits of the Midwest League. He displayed significant improvement, posting a .265 batting average alongside four home runs, 34 runs batted in, and 18 stolen bases in 2015. His versatility as a player who could impact games both offensively and defensively began to emerge during this developmental season.

In 2016, Laureano split time between the Lancaster JetHawks and the Corpus Christi Hooks. He dominated at both levels, combining to hit .319 with 15 home runs, 73 runs batted in, and a remarkable .955 on-base plus slugging percentage across 116 total games. His performance earned him a promotion to Double-A Corpus Christi, where he continued to develop as a player. Laureano returned to Corpus Christi in 2017, batting .227 with 11 home runs, 55 runs batted in, and 24 stolen bases. After the 2017 season, rather than risking losing him in the Rule 5 draft, the Astros traded Laureano to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for pitcher Brandon Bailey on November 20, 2017.

Ramón Laureano Career

Oakland Athletics (2018–2023)

Laureano received his first major league call-up on August 3, 2018. He made his MLB debut that night against the Detroit Tigers, and his first major league hit was a walk-off single in the 13th inning to break a scoreless tie. Since the run batted in became an official statistic in 1920, Laureano became the first player in Oakland Athletics history to hit a walk-off run batted in as his first major league hit.

On August 20, 2018, Laureano hit his first two major league home runs off Bartolo Colón in a 9–0 shutout victory over the Texas Rangers. Less than three weeks later, on September 7, he hit two more home runs against the Rangers, becoming the first player in A’s franchise history to record two multi-homer games within his first 30 career games, accomplishing the feat in just 29 games played.

The 2019 season proved to be Laureano’s most productive at the plate. He batted .288 with 24 home runs and 67 runs batted in while playing center field. Defensively, he gained attention for a spectacular play on May 7, 2019, when he robbed Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto of a home run in the sixth inning, a play that contributed to teammate Mike Fiers throwing the second no-hitter in Athletics history. In the American League Wild Card Game that postseason, Laureano drove in the Athletics’ only run with a sacrifice fly, though Oakland fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 5–1.

On August 9, 2020, Laureano was ejected for the first time in his career after charging at the Houston Astros bench to confront hitting coach Alex Cintrón, causing the benches to empty. He received a six-game suspension that was later reduced to four games on appeal. The 2020 season saw Laureano bat .213 with six home runs and 25 runs batted in, and he led the American League with 12 hit-by-pitches.

Laureano’s 2021 season was interrupted when MLB suspended him for 80 games on August 6 for testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug nandrolone. He underwent core surgery on October 1, and his suspension carried into the first 27 games of the 2022 season. He returned to game action on May 8, 2022. On January 13, 2023, Laureano signed a one-year, $3.55 million contract with Oakland. In 64 games for the Athletics that year, he batted .213 with six home runs, 21 runs batted in, and eight stolen bases. Despite posting the third-highest rWAR on the team, Oakland designated him for assignment on August 5, 2023.

Cleveland Guardians (2023–2024)

The Cleveland Guardians claimed Laureano off waivers on August 7, 2023. He played in 41 games for Cleveland down the stretch, hitting .243 with a .342 on-base percentage and .382 slugging percentage, adding three home runs and 14 runs batted in. The stint provided Laureano with an opportunity to establish himself with a new organization after his time in Oakland ended abruptly.

Laureano struggled during the 2024 season with Cleveland, batting just .143 with a .265 on-base percentage and .229 slugging percentage, managing one home run and four runs batted in across 31 games. The Guardians designated Laureano for assignment on May 20, 2024. After clearing waivers, Cleveland released him on May 25, 2024, while owing him $5.15 million for the remainder of his contract.

Atlanta Braves (2024)

On May 29, 2024, Laureano signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves organization. He made 14 appearances with the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, posting a .362 batting average with three home runs and 12 runs batted in. His strong performance at the Triple-A level earned him an opportunity with the major league roster.

On June 15, 2024, the Braves selected Laureano’s contract, adding him to their active roster after incumbent center fielder Michael Harris II suffered a hamstring strain. In 67 games for Atlanta, Laureano slashed .296/.327/.505 with 10 home runs, 29 runs batted in, and five stolen bases, providing the Braves with valuable outfield depth during a crucial stretch of the season. Following the 2024 season, the Braves non-tendered Laureano, making him a free agent. He subsequently signed with Leones del Escogido to play winter league baseball in the Dominican Professional Baseball League.

Baltimore Orioles (2025)

On February 4, 2025, Laureano signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He appeared in 82 games for Baltimore, batting .290 with a .355 on-base percentage and .529 slugging percentage, adding 15 home runs, 46 runs batted in, and four stolen bases. His performance represented one of his most productive offensive seasons since his early career with Oakland.

San Diego Padres (2025–Present)

On July 31, 2025, the Orioles traded Laureano and Ryan O’Hearn to the San Diego Padres in exchange for a six-player prospect package. Laureano finished the 2025 season with a combined .281 batting average, 24 home runs, and 76 runs batted in between Baltimore and San Diego. He made the Padres’ Opening Day roster in 2026 as their left fielder. He appeared in 53 games for San Diego, batting .203 with a .286 on-base percentage and .374 slugging percentage, adding seven home runs, 21 runs batted in, and seven stolen bases. On June 2, 2026, Laureano was placed on the 10-day injured list due to right hip inflammation. He subsequently underwent labrum surgery on June 5, ruling him out for approximately 4-to-5 months.

Defensive Skills and Strengths

Laureano has drawn consistent attention throughout his career for the strength and accuracy of his throwing arm from center field. His defensive profile includes range and instincts that have allowed him to play all three outfield positions. While his offensive numbers have fluctuated throughout his career, his defensive capabilities have kept him valuable to multiple organizations seeking outfield depth.

Ramón Laureano Career Wins

Throughout his MLB career, Laureano has accumulated 113 home runs and 349 runs batted in across parts of nine seasons through May 30, 2026. He has maintained a career batting average of .250. His most productive offensive seasons came in 2019 with Oakland (24 home runs, 67 RBI) and 2025 combined between Baltimore and San Diego (24 home runs, 76 RBI).

Notable Career Highlights

Laureano’s most memorable moment came during his MLB debut on August 3, 2018, when he hit a walk-off single in the 13th inning for his first major league hit. This made him the first player in Athletics history to drive in a run with his first MLB hit via a walk-off. He followed with two multi-homer games in his first 29 career contests, setting a franchise record. His defensive contributions include a highlight-reel home run robbery of Joey Votto in 2019 that helped preserve a no-hitter.

Career Statistics Summary

Throughout his MLB career through May 30, 2026, Laureano has played for five different organizations. His best offensive season came in 2019 with Oakland, where he batted .288 with 24 home runs. He also had strong seasons in 2025 with Baltimore and San Diego combined, hitting 24 home runs with 76 runs batted in.

Ramón Laureano Family

Family Background

Laureano was born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He is the only son of Nina Laureano and Ramón Laureano Sr. His family background provided the foundation for his pursuit of a professional baseball career in a baseball-rich country known for producing MLB talent.

Personal Life

Laureano maintains an active presence on social media, with an account on X (formerly Twitter) at @ramonlaureano22. He has played winter league baseball in the Dominican Professional Baseball League with Leones del Escogido following the 2024 season. His career has included multiple team changes, demonstrating his ability to adapt and compete at the major league level across different clubhouses and organizations.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a turning point in Laureano’s career. After a challenging start with Cleveland in early 2024 and a strong showing with Atlanta, he signed with Baltimore before the season and immediately produced. His .290 batting average with 15 home runs and 46 runs batted in through mid-season made him a valuable trade asset.

The trade to San Diego on July 31, 2025, placed Laureano in contention for a postseason push. He continued his solid production with his new team, combining for 24 home runs and 76 runs batted in across the entire season. The Padres appeared in the postseason but lost to the Chicago Cubs in the first round, with Laureano missing the series due to a finger injury sustained in late September.