Player review: Luis Arráez

Steven Kennedy reviews Luis Arráez's standout 2026 campaign with the San Francisco Giants, describing it as the best all-around season of his career. Signed by Buster Posey to a one-year, $12 million contract following a down year in 2025, Arráez excelled offensively before being traded to Philadelphia at the deadline. Despite departing midseason, he finished as the Giants' leader with 3.8 fWAR while batting .310, narrowly finishing second in the National League batting race.

Kennedy highlights Arráez's dramatic defensive turnaround at second base under fielding coach Ron Washington as the season's biggest surprise. Arráez improved from a -11 Fielding Run Value in 2025 to a +10 mark in 2026, ranking in the league's 91st percentile. Kennedy credits Posey's gamble on Arráez as a success, even though broader struggles across the Giants' infield undermined the team's overall season.