Giants' Luis Arraez working to quell doubts about his defense. 'He's going to be tremendous'

The Giants' willingness to let Arraez play second base is why he signed with San Francisco. Now it's up to the 3-time batting champion to show he can hold his own in the field.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 5:20pm by Ben Kaplan

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Luis Arraez, the Giants' new second baseman, is working to prove he can be a strong defensive player after concerns about his fielding. Arraez, a 3-time batting champion, signed with San Francisco because they agreed to let him play his preferred position of second base, unlike other teams that wanted him to play first base or DH. Giants infield coach Ron Washington is confident Arraez will improve and become 'tremendous' at second base with more experience and practice.

Why it matters

Arraez's ability to play solid defense at second base is crucial for the Giants, as they look to maximize his offensive talents and help the team reach the playoffs. His transition to a new team and position will be closely watched, as he aims to silence doubts about his defense and cement his status as one of the best all-around players in baseball.

The details

Arraez, who has played for the Twins, Marlins, and Padres in recent years, signed a one-year deal with the Giants this offseason. He has already shown his offensive prowess, getting 3 of the Giants' 13 hits in the first 3 games. Giants infield coach Ron Washington has been complimentary of Arraez's work ethic and progress, saying he is 'coming along just on schedule' and will be 'tremendous' once he fully adjusts to the position and competition of the regular season.

  • Arraez signed with the Giants this offseason.
  • Arraez has played 3 games so far this season for the Giants.

The players

Luis Arraez

A 28-year-old second baseman who has won 3 batting titles in his career and is now looking to prove he can be a strong defensive player for the Giants.

Tony Vitello

The manager of the San Francisco Giants.

Ron Washington

The infield coach for the San Francisco Giants who is working with Arraez to improve his defense.

A.J. Preller

The president of baseball operations for the San Diego Padres, who spoke highly of Arraez's impact on their team when he played there.

Ramon Borrego

The Minnesota Twins' third-base coach who was an early mentor and advocate for Arraez when he was coming up through the Twins' minor league system.

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What they’re saying

“'You could see the minute he got to our team, he kind of jump-started our group. Putting the ball in play, being a tough out, he's obviously one of the best hitters in baseball. I think Luis changed our team in 2024, both with his skill set and then his demeanor and personality between the lines.'”

— A.J. Preller, Padres president of baseball operations

“'I think he's coming along just on schedule. The competition is a little different during the season than it is in spring training, and he also has to deal with positioning. Once we get all of this straightened out, I think he's going to be tremendous.'”

— Ron Washington, Giants infield coach

“'This kid is like my son. He's someone who's come from nothing, no one gave him anything, but he has a gift and he was hungry and had a passion. I'm so proud of him, he had to climb a big mountain to open doors.'”

— Ramon Borrego, Twins third-base coach

What’s next

Arraez will return to San Diego this week to face his former Padres teammates. The Giants and their fans will be closely watching to see if Arraez can continue to improve his defense at second base and solidify his role as an everyday player.

The takeaway

Arraez's offensive prowess is undisputed, but his ability to play solid defense at second base will be crucial for the Giants as they look to make a playoff push. The team's willingness to give him that opportunity is a big reason he signed with San Francisco, and his development at the position will be a key storyline to follow throughout the season.