Joaquin

Arias

A rare power outburst from the 21-year-old shortstop. Arias is batting .258/.280/.355 in 155 at-bats. He’ll probably need to spend another year in Triple-A in 2007, but he is about ready for the majors defensively.

Arias, who was acquired from the Rangers in the Alex Rodriguez deal, is hitting .260 with four homers and 24 stolen bases at Triple-A Oklahoma. He should be a regular shortstop for another team someday. The Rangers aren’t interested in shifting Michael Young.

Arias does not have good on-base skills and has very little power, but he did swipe 26 bases at Triple-A so could see action as a pinch-runner. RHP Nick Masset is also scheduled to join Texas Tuesday.

Crawford had started at shortstop in all of the Giants’ first 18 games and is finally getting some rest. Joaquin Arias will get the nod Thursday against the Reds.

This indicates that Aubrey Huff could be placed on the seven-day personal leave list while he attends to a family matter in Florida. Arias, who signed a minor league deal with the Giants over the winter, is hitting .400 (28-for-70) with two homers and 17 RBI over his first 18 games with the Grizzlies this season.

The Giants will announce a corresponding roster move involving Aubrey Huff prior to Wednesday’s game. Arias was hitting .400 (28-for-70) with two homers and 17 RBI with Triple-A Fresno and will function as a backup infielder. He isn’t worth adding in fantasy leagues.

He was unofficially anointed once Conor Gillaspie was sent down, and now it’s official. Arias has batted just .255/.300/.340 and hasn’t hit a single homer over 326 career plate appearances. He’s barely worth considering even in NL-only leagues.

Arias isn’t going keep hitting like this and he certainly can’t match Brandon Crawford defensively, but the Giants need to stick with him at shortstop while he’s hot. He’s 11-for-32 with five RBI since his callup April 25.

“The plan is to play him but occasionally give him a day off. It could be (Friday),” said Bochy. “We’ll need some offense here, but he’ll get better. This is a young kid and a gifted shortstop. We’ll all have our ups and down and get shaken a little bit, but we think a lot of him.” Crawford committed two errors in Thursday’s loss to the Marlins and struck out in both of his at-bats, lowering his batting average to .208 for the season. His job doesn’t appear in jeopardy, but Joaquin Arias could begin to steal at-bats against left-handed pitchers. Of course, Arias may also share playing time with Conor Gillaspie at third base while Pablo Sandoval (fractured hamate bone) is sidelined.

Arias spent all of 2011 at Triple-A in the Royals organization, batting just .232/.272/.353 over 259 plate appearances. He’ll get an invite to spring training but is a longshot to make the team.