Giants finally start thinning the herd

So now, a couple of weeks in, the “real” Spring Training kicks off.

It’s always nice to get a look at the guys who are considered up and coming, but with more teams like the Giants slow-playing their regulars to an ever-greater extent, the first dozen or so games of Cactus League play have resembled an intramural contest with occasional cameos by the varsity en route from the gym to chem class.

Arroyo: not quite ready for prime time

No more. The Giants this week shipped out 19 guys; 11 to Minor League camp while giving the remaining eight the proverbial handshake and parting gift as they were optioned to the minors. But if you like new faces, fear not. The Giants still have 43 guys in Major League camp, meaning you’ll still get your fill of guys with uniform numbers in high double digits.

Hey, at least one of them isn’t Barry Zito.

One of the most predictable yet saddening reassignments was that of Christian Arroyo, who presumably will start the season as a AA Flying Squirrel.

Arroyo jumped to the top of MLB.com’s ranking of Giants prospects this off-season and was number 82 in its overall Top 100 prospects. He hasn’t disappointed, giving the Giants (and their fans) some confidence that their number-one selection from three years ago was worth the price. In 11 preseason games he went 7-for-13 at the plate; that’s a .538 average for those who want someone else to do the math.

"He's been impressive," Giants manager Bruce Bochy told MLB.com. "To have a swing like his coming out of A-ball; the kid can hit."

Arroyo’s problem is position density.  He’s an infielder, primarily a shortstop, and the Giants have no shortage of those. Brandon Crawford, the first Giant in memory not named Barry Bonds to earn a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in the same season, is locked in for six years. Joe Panik and Matt Duffy are youngsters under team control for the foreseeable future, and they definitely have the look of keepers. And in case you missed it, Kelby Tomlinson looks pretty good, too.

The Giants did move him around a bit this spring, possibly a rehearsal for emergency duty of a position switch. Bochy didn’t rule out a late-season call-up so he appears to be close to ready, but he’s also just 20 years old so the team can afford to be patient.

Justin Maxw...uh...Gorkys Hernandez

Outfield Junior Arias also got the bad news. He did hit .250 (4-for-16) but was part of one of the Spring's more unfortunate kerfuffles when a routine ball to center fell untouched. Arias failed to break on the ball because (a) he lost it in the sun, (b) he was reading a disturbing text message during play, or (c) he was asking an attractive (we hope) someone behind the outfield fence for a phone number. It’s notable that on a team with open competition for a reserve outfield spot, he’s the entire list of demotees.

If nothing else, it opens up more playing time for Gorkys Hernandez (10-for-29) and his bid to be 2016's Justin Maxwell, although the chief beneficiaries will be the presumed starters (Hunter Pence, Denard Span and Angel Pagan for the uninitiated) to shake off the rust with three weeks until opening day.

Other position players moved were infielders Ryder Jones and Rando Moreno; and catchers Aramis Garcia, Ty Ross and Matt Winn. Righty hurlers Tyler Beede, Samuel Coonrod, Chase Johnson and Albert Suarez also were reassigned.

Beede, who has been talked about by Giants watchers more than the flavor and density of the garlic fries at AT&T Park, wasn’t exactly having a dream Spring, unless said dream came from the mind of Stephen King. Batters were hitting just .167 but control issues bumped his WHIP well above two and his ERA near five and a half. More seasoning is definitely needed.

Wild Thing, I think I ..will see you in Sacramento

Eight players were optioned, all pitchers, and there were no real surprises. Sent out were righty hurlers Kyle Crick, Ray Black, Ian Gardeck, Joan Gregorio, Derek Law, Jake Smith and Chris Stratton; and left-hander Adalberto Mejia. Gardeck, who struck out 104 batters in 86 1/3 innings last year at San Jose, will pass “go” and head to the ER for Tommy John surgery.

Since we brought up the outfield:

Denard Span should play the field for the first time on Wednesday against Seattle. His work so far has been limited to DH duty, where the free-agent signee has ripped the ball at a .150 pace – geez we need a sarcasm font. Pagan has appeared in four games (4-for-11) and Pence in two (2-for-5) as both work their way back from injuries.

Notably still in camp: infielder Conor Gillaspie, outfileders Jarret Parker and Mac Williamson, outfielder / first baseman Kyle Blanks, and catcher Trevor Brown. It appears the competition for bench spots is far from over.