Why SF Giants believe in Arráez’s defense at second base despite shaky metrics

SCOTTSDALE — Luis Arráez had a clear priority when deciding on his new employer.

Arráez had multi-year offers on the table this winter, but he wanted to go to a team that allowed him to play second base. The Giants, eager to add a second baseman all offseason, provided Arráez with that opportunity. Arráez’s $12 million deal only runs for one year, but for him, the chance to play second was the deciding factor.

“That was the difference,” Arráez said on Tuesday morning at Scottsdale Stadium after the team officially announced the deal. “They gave me the opportunity. They trust me. They want me to go there and play my natural position. That’s why I picked here.”

For all of Arráez’s credentials as a hitter, the 28-year-old has been a poor defender his entire career. Since 2019, Arráez’s -60 outs above average are the fewest among all defenders, and his -36 outs above average are the fewest among all second basemen.

Arráez’s last season as a full-time second baseman was 2023, where he was worth -11 outs above average. He sparingly played second base in ’24 (42 games), then barely played there at all last season (14 games). The numbers paint a gloomy picture, but Arráez believes he can play a competent second base.

So, too, do the Giants.

“They can say what they want to say, but I know I can play second base,” said Arráez, who will wear No. 1. “I know I can go there and get my base hits and try to move the runners, try to score runs to win the game.”

President of baseball operations Buster Posey cited several reasons that he believes Arráez can play quality defense at second base, one being new infield coach Ron Washington.

Washington is widely regarded as one of the best infield coaches in the business. Eric Chavez, a six-time Gold Glove Award winner, credited Washington with turning him into an elite defender, so much so that he gifted Washington his 2004 Gold Glove. Marcus Semien blossomed as a defender under Washington’s guidance, calling him the “most influential baseball man in my life.”

“He’s already working hard and we haven’t even started camp,” said third baseman Matt Chapman of Washington. “We’re already out there doing drills every day and going through his whole routine. He’s definitely ready to get after it.”

Along with Washington, Posey received a strong recommendation from new bench coach Jayce Tingler, who worked with Arráez in Minnesota. Shortstop Willy Adames also provided a glowing recommendation of Arráez as well.

“We’re all really optimistic about (Washington) getting Luis into a good spot defensively,” Posey said. “And then the bat — he’s the best bat-to-ball guy in all of baseball. You look at the strikeout rate last year, he’s won three batting titles. I know we don’t get as excited about batting titles as we used to, but to win three batting titles by age 28 is pretty remarkable. I think he’s going to fit into our lineup really well.

“Then, as far as the defense, there’s not going to be for a lack of effort and work on his part and the coaching staff.”

Regardless of Arráez’s strides defensively, the majority of Arrráez’s value will derive from his bat.

Arráez’s credentials as a hitter jump off the page. His .317 career batting average is the highest among active players, the product of elite contact skills. He’s a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, three-time All-Star and he won three straight batting titles with three different teams. With the additions of Arráez and center fielder Harrison Bader, San Francisco boasts one of the better lineups in the National League.

“I’m a big believer in being the aggressor,” Posey said. “I think offensively, it’s hard to be the aggressor if you’re not putting the ball in play. Now, I also think part of the reason I feel that way is that contact hitters for us right now do balance out some of the other profiles of the hitters that we have. I’m not going to sit here and say that I believe that you build a lineup strictly with contact hitters.

“I think I draw a little bit on my playing experience, as well. The best teams I was on, when you get to the playoffs and you’re facing the toughest pitchers, the teams that can put the ball in play and force the defense to make plays are usually in a better position than the ones that are going to strike out 15-16 times a game.”

It’s a plus that Arráez effectively never strikes out. Arráez has a career strikeout rate of 6.1 percent, and last season, he had a career-low strikeout rate of 3.1 percent. To Arráez, his philosophy as a hitter.

“I hate strikeouts,” Arráez laughed. “Trust yourself, man. Trust yourself, go out there and compete. Try to put the ball in play. Like I say, hitting is simple. It’s not easy; it’s not impossible. … That’s why we train every day. Be simple, and then try to put the ball in play.”

Arráez’s approach is a true throwback, but its effectiveness has considerably waned in the last two seasons.

Despite leading the National League in hits in 2024 (200) and ’25 (181), Arráez has only been a little better than a league-average hitter by metrics such as OPS+ (103) and wRC+ (107). Arráez said he doesn’t believe he has to change anything about his approach, citing the concussion he suffered last year that affected “everything.”

“It’s not an excuse, but it affected me a lot,” Arráez said. “The good thing is it’s a new year. I have another opportunity to get better, and I’m ready to go. The numbers are going to be there.”