Giants No. 2 prospect Arroyo makes MLB debut

SAN FRANCISCO -- Christian Arroyo was off to the kind of start that befits legends. But that wasn't enough to convince his mother he had been promoted to the Major Leagues before Monday's 2-1 Giants victory over the Dodgers.
Triple-A Sacramento manager Dave Brundage lured Arroyo to report to Raley Field at 1:30 p.m. for a night game at 7 under the ruse of engaging in early practice. Brundage gave Arroyo the big news, which spread quickly in the clubhouse.
But it hadn't yet spread on social media. So when Arroyo, the Giants' No. 2 prospect, called his mother, Kimberly Drummond, to tell her the Giants had selected his contract, she refused to believe him.
"She just kept saying, 'No, you're lying, you're lying, you're lying,' and I was like, 'No I'm not,'" Arroyo related.
What did he say to convince her? "I was just very persistent," he said.
The same could be said of Arroyo's performance at Triple-A. If the Giants hadn't called him up Monday, it would have happened soon.
He hit safely in 15 of 16 games, batting .446 with seven doubles, three home runs and 12 RBIs. Arroyo's pace recalled the statistics amassed at Triple-A by Willie Mays (.477, eight homers and 30 RBIs in 35 games) and Willie McCovey (.372, 29 homers and 92 RBIs in 95 games) before their respective promotions.
"I think I just trusted in my approach a little more this year," Arroyo said.

Arroyo wasn't that explosive in his debut, going 0-for-4. But he helped generate the Giants' first run with a grounder to second base that advanced Brandon Crawford, who doubled to lead off the second inning. That enabled Joe Panik to drive in Crawford with a sacrifice fly.
"I'm thinking to myself, 'Welcome. Do something; move him over,'" Arroyo said. "Good, fundamental Giants baseball."

Hoping that Arroyo can follow the path of more recent homegrown position-player products such as Crawford, Panik, Buster Posey and Brandon Belt, manager Bruce Bochy wasted no time in acclimating the 21-year-old to the Major Leagues, installing him in the starting lineup at third base.
Somewhat auspiciously, the Giants issued Arroyo jersey No. 22 -- which was worn by a pair of premier hitters, Jack Clark and Will Clark.
"He certainly opened a lot of eyes, and we have a need right now," Bochy said, referring to San Francisco's sluggish offense.
Eduardo Núñez, who had been the regular third baseman, will occupy left field, perhaps ending the season-long instability at that position.
The Giants also selected the contract of veteran big league outfielder Drew Stubbs from Sacramento. With Denard Span still bothered by a sprained right shoulder, Stubbs, who signed a Minor League contract with the Giants on April 6, started in center field.
The Giants cleared roster room for Arroyo and Stubbs by designating outfielder Chris Marrero for assignment and placing utility man Aaron Hill on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right forearm.