Giants offseason report: Club banking on 2018 rebound not rebuild
Christian Arroyo
After re-establishing his offensive credentials with a .288 batting average and .768 OPS  Joe Panik might be the Giantsâ top trading chip as they seek to bolster weak spots. At 27  Panik offers youth  unparalleled contact skills â his 89.9% contact rate was the majorsâ highest â and a trusty glove  although defensive metrics indicate he took a step back from his Gold Glove season of 2016. Should the Giants trade Panik  they would have several replacement candidates in top prospect  Christian Arroyo   Kelby Tomlinson and Miguel Gomez.  Arroyo   22 could use more seasoning.
Giants third basemen earned the âquadruple crownâ of offensive futility last season  registering the majorsâ lowest batting average for the position (.216) as well as the fewest home runs (nine) and RBI (51)  to go along with the lowest OPS (.568). Pablo Sandoval was not the answer after rejoining the club in early August  rookie Ryder Jones struggled badly (.173) and  Arroyo  proved he wasnât ready. All three could be back  which would not represent an upgrade.
4. Christian Arroyo  3B:  Arroyo  reached the majors at 21 but broke  his  left hand and missed most of the season.  His  compact stroke produces doubles and some power.  His  plus hand-eye coordination and bat control should yield a high batting average.
5. Bryan Reynolds  OF: The pure-hitting 22-year-old uses the whole field  works counts and should hit for a high batting average with a loose swing and plate coverage.  He  has sufficient arm strength and range to play all three outfield spots.  He âll likely report to Class AA.
After re-establishing his offensive credentials with a .288 batting average and .768 OPS  Joe Panik might be the Giantsâ top trading chip as they seek to bolster weak spots. At 27  Panik offers youth  unparalleled contact skills â his 89.9% contact rate was the majorsâ highest â and a trusty glove  although defensive metrics indicate he took a step back from his Gold Glove season of 2016. Should the Giants trade Panik  they would have several replacement candidates in top prospect  Christian Arroyo   Kelby Tomlinson and Miguel Gomez.   [TGT]    22 could use more seasoning.
Giants third basemen earned the âquadruple crownâ of offensive futility last season  registering the majorsâ lowest batting average for the position (.216) as well as the fewest home runs (nine) and RBI (51)  to go along with the lowest OPS (.568). Pablo Sandoval was not the answer after rejoining the club in early August  rookie Ryder Jones struggled badly (.173) and   [TGT]   proved he wasnât ready. All three could be back  which would not represent an upgrade.
4. Christian Arroyo  3B:   [TGT]   reached the majors at 21 but broke  his  left hand and missed most of the season.  His  compact stroke produces doubles and some power.  His  plus hand-eye coordination and bat control should yield a high batting average.
5. Bryan Reynolds  OF: The pure-hitting 22-year-old uses the whole field  works counts and should hit for a high batting average with a loose swing and plate coverage.  He  has sufficient arm strength and range to play all three outfield spots.  He âll likely report to Class AA.