Giants youth movement in full affect with Ryder Jones call-up

The San Francisco Giants have called up Ryder Jones and DFA’d Aaron Hill. This is the first moves of the impending youth movement.

If the Giants were in first place, Ryder Jones likely isn’t getting called up today. But thanks to the current situation, it became clear that the old and underperforming vets were going to get phased out as top prospects continued to perform for them in the minor leagues.

Aaron Hill frankly shouldn’t have been on the roster beyond Kelby Tomlinson‘s return from injury at the end of spring training. Tomlinson has produced at the big league level at a better rate than Hill. With there not really being another big league ready “utility infielder” in the system, and Conor Gilaspie still rehabbing, Jones started to look more enticing.

Jones has hit 10 homers in the 53 games he’s played for Sacramento. He draws a lot of walks and carries a big slugging percentage. He can play first base, third base, and maybe some outfield, but left-field would be the only place worth trying him at.

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Out of the Giants 2013 draft, Christian Arroyo drew all the attention, and rightfully so. Arroyo won the Arizona Rookie League MVP with his .326 average and .511 slugging percentage. But not that far behind was the Giants’ second round pick, Ryder Jones. He hit .319 and possessed an OPS just under .800 (.798). Jones never was the hyped and highly touted prospect, but the Giants really liked his tools. It was just a matter of whether or not he could put it together.

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He hit .299 with a .944 OPS in his time in Sacramento, and it has become pretty clear this season that Jones is finally putting it all together. I might have said finally, but he is only 23 years old.

Jones now joins Austin Slater as the young gun call-ups on the team, and they certainly won’t be the only two towards the end of the season. Chris Shaw is making his own case for a call-up soon.

You could probably expect to see Christian Arroyo back, and Mac Williamson and Jarrett Parker are sure-fire bets to be back on the roster come August 1st. Other additions could come in the form of Tyler Beede, Joan Gregorio, Slade Heathcott, and even Miguel Gomez.

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For now, Jones will join Crick and Slater as the “young-bloods” on the roster, but it won’t be too long before plenty of others get their big shot as well.