Christian Arroyo Might Get Chance To Start With Boston Red Sox

Former SF Giants first-round pick Christian Arroyo might finally get an opportunity to be an everyday player next season with the Boston Red Sox.

Boston Red Sox beat writer Chris Cotillo was a guest on the IV Love of Sports Podcast on Sunday and noted that Christian Arroyo remains the leading internal candidate to be the team’s starting second baseman at the moment. However, Cotillo expects the team to pursue outside options to at least provide legitimate competition to the former SF Giants prospect.

Of course, Arroyo was drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2013 draft out of high school. He slowly climbed the minor-league ladder before debuting with the team in 2017. In 34 games with the Giants, primarily split between the third base and shortstop, Arroyo hit .192/.244/.304. Of course, at just 22, he still seemed headed in the right direction. However, following the season, he became the centerpiece of the trade package sent to the Tampa Bay Rays for third baseman Evan Longoria.

While Arroyo consistently ranked among the top-100 prospects in baseball by multiple outlets from 2016-2018, a series of injuries and Tampa’s impressive system depth made it difficult to get an extended big-league look. From 2018-2019, Arroyo received just 116 plate appearances with the Rays. Without a clear spot for him in their future, the Rays sent Arroyo to Cleveland last offseason.

Once again, unable to earn a consistent roster spot alongside Cleveland’s stacked infield, Arroyo appeared in just one game and did not receive a plate appearance before he was designated for assignment. At that point, the Red Sox claimed the infielder off waivers and soon placed him on their active roster.

2020 was a season to forget for most Red Sox fans, but Arroyo got consistent playing time for the first time since he was called up by the Giants in 2017. In 14 games, Arroyo hit just .240 but blasted three home runs and posted a solid .440 slugging percentage. Defensively, he was solid at second base but made a couple of appearances at shortstop as well. Even if he’s not an everyday player next season, he seems in a solid position to be a utilityman on Boston’s bench.

While Cotillo was clear that he does not expect Christian Arroyo to be the Boston Red Sox starting second baseman next season, he is still just 25-years old. There’s a reason he was consistently a top prospect in the SF Giants system. Perhaps he soon could find his place as an everyday player at Fenway Park.