SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The offensively challenged San Francisco Giants are giving top prospect Christian Arroyo a chance sooner than they planned, bringing up the third baseman Monday and making him the immediate starter for his major league debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Nothing like being thrown right into the mix. The Giants are sure the 21-year-old can handle it.
Eduardo Nunez moved from third to left field, a change that will take an adjustment period, manager Bruce Bochy warned.
Arroyo, the 25th overall pick in the 2013 amateur draft, was batting .446 (29 for 65) with three home runs, seven doubles and 12 RBIs in 16 games for Triple-A Sacramento after he made a strong impression in spring training.
“For me it was about getting off to a good start,” said Arroyo, whose mom didn’t believe him for five minutes when he shared news of the callup. “It’s kind of surreal at this moment. Still just trying to take it all in. But at the same time, I know I’m up here to help the team win. So I’m going do the best I can do to help this team win and get this team rolling again.”
The infielder hit safely in 15 of his games and was atop the Pacific Coast League for batting average.
“Certainly with what he’s done down in Sacramento, it certainly opened up a lot of eyes, and we have a need right now,” Bochy said. “We’re challenged offensively here a little bit. So, we need another guy to help out. The way he’s swinging the bat certainly made us push this move probably a little sooner than we were thinking about. When you struggle a little bit the way the team’s been struggling, sometimes you try to shake things up, too, so you look for help down there. He’s swinging the bat as well as anybody.”
Outfielder Drew Stubbs also was called up from Sacramento and made his Giants debut in center field for the injured Denard Span, who needs another three or four days following a mild right shoulder sprain that forced him out of Saturday’s game at Colorado. Span can be used as a pinch runner but isn’t yet ready to throw.
Infielder Aaron Hill was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right forearm, and outfielder Chris Marrero was designated for assignment.
San Francisco entered a four-game series at home against the rival Dodgers off to its worst start since 1983 at 6-13.
“We’re home, it’s time to get things turned around here,” Bochy said.
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