Christian Arroyo Will Create A Problem for the San Francisco Giants Soon

After churning out talented young infielder after talented young infielder, the San Francisco Giants have the next one waiting in the wings: Christian Arroyo.

The San Francisco Giants‘ farm system has been ranked pretty underwhelmingly for a while now, but the soil is very fertile on that farm. The team grows and cultivates infielders at a huge rate, churning out young stars and stars-in-the-making like Matt Duffy, Joe Panik, Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt, and Kelby Tomlinson, all within the past half-decade. And now, it looks like the next one in line is 20-year-old shortstop Christian Arroyo.

When the Giants drafted Arroyo in the first round (25th overall) in 2013, the move was ill-received, as most pre-draft ranking boards had Arroyo ranked in the high-90’s, or out of the top-100 altogether. At the time he was also committed to play baseball for the University of Florida, so there was that risk as well. Couple that with the questions regarding his speed and ability to remain a shortstop, and that equals a head-scratching pick for the Giants.

But as the Giants, and their scouting department, continue to prove, they know exactly what they’re doing. All Arroyo has done in his two-plus season in the Giants’ organization is hit, hit, and hit some more. In 2013 with the team’s Rookie League affiliate, Arroyo hit .326 with 18 doubles, five triples, and two home runs in 45 games.

In 2014 with Low-A Salem-Kaizer and Single-A Augusta, he hit .291 with 17 doubles, three triples, and six home runs in 89 games. In 2015, he moved up to Advanced-A San Jose and batted .304 with 28 doubles, two triples and nine home runs in 90 games. He’s also shown off his sweet swing thus far in Spring Training, collecting four hits and four runs batted in in eight at-bats, including this home run from Tuesday night:

Arroyo has quickly quieted the critics, and is now considered the team’s top prospect by all three major publications (MLB.com, Baseball America, and Baseball Prospectus). He’s also cracked the top-100 for MLB.com (ranked 82nd) and Baseball American (62nd). In short, this young man, not yet old enough to legally enjoy an alcoholic beverage, is a darn good hitter.

Arroyo’s not yet ready to take a major league job yet, but there’s no doubts that he’s getting close. When he is ready, he is going to create a problem for the Giants. It will be a good problem, but a problem nonetheless. Where could they put Arroyo in the field to get his bat in the lineup?

More from San Francisco Giants

Crawford just signed an expensive extension, and will be patrolling shortstop for at least the next six seasons. Arroyo is a natural shortstop, having played 191 of his 218 games at the position through the minor leagues. Barring something unforeseen, that’s not a possibility for Arroyo.

Arroyo has played a good share of third base in the early goings of Spring Training, manning the hot corner four times in seven games, as well as once in his minor league career. That doesn’t provide a clear path to the big leagues either, as Duffy isn’t even arbitration eligible yet, and isn’t set to hit the free agent market until 2021. Second base, where Arroyo has played 26 minor league games, gives him the same dilemma. Panik is also not eligible for arbitration yet, and won’t hit the market until 2021.

Left field could provide a clearer path for Arroyo, as current left fielder Angel Pagan is in the final year of his contract. The team would need someone to replace them, but Arroyo has competition from outfielders that are already on the Giants’ 40-man roster. Jarrett Parker has shown off a lot of power, both at the end of 2015 and during the first few Spring Training games, and could be a legitimate contender to be the everyday left fielder. Mac Williamson, is slightly younger than Parker at 25 years old, and has earned a lot of fans in the organization. Williamson profiles more as an everyday player than Parker, and when Pagan is no longer in the picture, left field could be Williamson’s new home.

More from Golden Gate Sports

Another position that could provide a spot for Arroyo in the near future is first base. The Giants have their everyday first baseman right now in Brandon Belt, but he is only under team control for another two seasons, at which point his arbitration eligibility runs out and he becomes a free agent. The team has discussed giving Belt a contract extension this past offseason, but talks didn’t really get anywhere. If Belt doesn’t get that extension and eventually walks, the team could consider having Arroyo moving to first base, keeping a homegrown infield intact.

Arroyo doesn’t necessarily profile as a first baseman offensively, as he’s more of a contact hitter with gap-to-gap power rather than the prototypical big power hitter that normally occupies the position. The Giants, however, have already taken an unconventional approach with Duffy playing third base, considering he’s a hitter similar to Arroyo playing a position normally reserved for guys with big pop.

Arroyo still has plenty of time to grow. He’s just 20 years old and already has a large, muscular frame that could add some more power as he continues to advance. He still needs a bit more seasoning in the minor leagues, as he has yet to play in Double-A in his two-and-a-half minor league seasons, but when the time comes, he’ll give the Giants, and manager Bruce Bochy, a problem that will need to be solved.

Next: The Giants Should Keep Cory Gearrin

But maybe, in the everchanging game of baseball, a designated hitter will be added to the National League in the next few seasons. While it’s not popular, it would certainly help find a spot for Arroyo. Until then, the Giants have something to consider for the future.

Home/San Francisco Giants