SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- With the spring's first off day coming Wednesday, the Giants made their first round of cuts, sending some of their best young prospects to minor league camp.
Eleven players were reassigned to minor league camp, where games start this week: Christian Arroyo, Ty Blach, Kyle Crick, Aramis Garcia, Cory Gearrin, Adalberto Mejia, Ty Ross, Chris Stratton, Carlos Triunfel, Kelby Tomlinson and Mac Williamson. Cuban outfielder Daniel Carbonell was optioned to Double-A Richmond and right-handers Joan Gregorio and Derek Law were optioned to Single-A San Jose.
The group includes three first-round picks, all of whom had their moments during a month in big league camp. Crick was pitching well until giving up five runs Monday, and Stratton impressed coaches with his poise and raw stuff. Arroyo got off to a hot start at the plate and showed the hit tool that scouts love.
Williamson showed that he's fully healthy after losing a season to Tommy John surgery, and he had two triples and a double while going 5 for 15 and playing strong defense in right field. Coaches believe Williamson, who likely will begin the season in Double-A, could move quickly. Law is also coming back from Tommy John surgery and has been throwing bullpen sessions.
Blach had a rough start to the spring but pitched three strong relief innings in his final outing. Garcia and Ross are young catchers who were in camp for the first time, but not the last. Gearrin, a former Atlanta Brave, never got in a game because of an injury. Mejia pitched well and looked unfazed by facing big league hitters, but the organization's top left-handed prospect will begin the season on a 50-game suspension for use of a banned substance. Triunfel and Carbonell both homered during Cactus League action, Tomlinson showed that he's one of the fastest players in the organization, and Gregorio -- who was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason -- had five scoreless outings.
