NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Giants general manager Bobby Evans said Tuesday at baseball's Winter Meetings that infielder Christian Arroyo and right-hander Tyler Beede, the organization's top prospects, likely will begin the regular season at Triple-A Sacramento.
MLBPipeline.com ranks Arroyo and Beede first and second, respectively, on the Giants' list of promising Minor Leaguers.
Though finding a position for Arroyo has remained an issue, Evans said the 21-year-old probably will spend more time at third base than at second next year. Last season at Double-A Richmond, Arroyo posted a .274/.316/.373 slash line with three home runs and 49 RBIs. His production included 36 doubles.
Beede -- who, Evans hinted, might find his way into the outskirts of the competition for San Francisco's No. 5 starter's spot -- finished 8-7 with a 2.81 ERA in 24 starts for Richmond. The 23-year-old struck out 135 in 147 1/3 innings.
Though the Giants fulfilled their mission of obtaining a closer by agreeing with right-hander Mark Melancon on a four-year, $62 million contract Monday, Evans said he stayed busy by "checking in with as many clubs as I could. You still want to stay proactive."