Baseball’s beloved Ron Washington is back coaching infielders in 2026. After some health scares and a rollercoaster of performances from his team in Anaheim, the former Braves third base coach is tasked with guiding the Giants’ infield defense this upcoming season.
On Saturday, that challenge became more complex. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Giants signed Luis Arraez to a one-year deal. The current plan is for Arraez to play second base, a position he has not handled on a full-time basis since 2023. Given Arraez’s defensive history, this development may represent one of the most significant challenges Ron Washington has faced in his coaching career.
Ron Washington’s work with #Braves infielders literally is never done. pic.twitter.com/UKOsqzm5U4
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) February 24, 2023
Ron Washington revamping Luis Arraez's defense could be his toughest challenge yet
Arraez is a three-time batting champion and earned his contract with San Francisco due to his elite contact skills. However, his defensive limitations are the primary reason he did not secure a multi-year deal. Arraez spent the majority of his time with the Padres at first base, a position where his defensive shortcomings could be more easily mitigated.
The Giants do not have the luxury of hiding Arraez at first base, as Rafael Devers is expected to man that position in 2026. As a result, he is slated to return to second base, a position he played regularly during his time in Miami. A closer look at Arraez’s career defensive metrics at second base makes it clear why Wash faces such a significant challenge in this assignment.
Across 2,793 career innings at second base, Arraez has posted -6 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and -35 Outs Above Average (OAA). During his most recent full season at the position in 2023, he ranked in the fourth percentile in Fielding Run Value (–10 FRV) and the first percentile in OAA (–14). While Arraez is a career 117 wRC+ hitter, his -68.9 defensive fWAR significantly diminishes his overall value.
Those numbers highlight the scale of the challenge facing Washington. Widely regarded as one of the game’s top infield instructors, Washington is tasked with stabilizing Arraez defensively at a demanding position where the metrics have consistently been poor. With the Giants unable to move him to a less taxing spot, any defensive gains will be critical—especially after Arraez posted a career-low wRC+ last season, narrowing the margin for his bat to offset his shortcomings in the field.