Arroyo goes 4-for-5 in Scorpions' romp

At 20 years old, Christian Arroyo is one of the younger prospects in the Arizona Fall League. However, his bat has continued to outshine some of his older peers.

The Giants' second-ranked prospect went 4-for-5 with a homer, three RBIs and four runs scored on Friday to lead Scottsdale to a 12-1 thumping of Mesa at Scottsdale Stadium.

It was the sixth multi-hit effort of the fall for Arroyo, who extend his hitting streak to eight games.

"I feel great," Arroyo told MLB.com. "I'm just trying to see pitches and stay within myself. Coming out here, you're facing a lot of really good pitchers and, for the most part, they're all around the zone. So I'm trying to hone out an area and put a good swing on that pitch."

The day got off to an inauspicious start for Arroyo, who went down swinging in his first at-bat against Solar Sox starter Rob Zastryzny (Cubs). However, the Florida native adjusted his approach to become more aggressive and hit safely in his next four at-bats, including a three-run homer in the fourth off reliever Kris Hall (Athletics).

"I've always been an aggressive hitter," Arroyo said. "I don't like to be too picky -- if I see a first-pitch fastball down the middle, I'm going to try to put a good swing on it because sometimes that's the best pitch you're going to see in an at-bat."

The 2013 first-round pick raised his average to .447 in nine AFL games. The homer was his third as Arroyo's power potential continues to rise. He hit seven of his career-high nine long balls in the second half of the regular season with Class A Advanced San Jose.

"I think it's a mixture of everything," Arroyo said of his increased power. "It's definitely a product of experience, just knowing now that you're not at a level where guys are going to throw you fastballs or breaking balls down the middle of the plate.

"I never try to hit home runs. I just try to see a pitch up that I can drive, and if I get it and create the right angle and get good backspin on it, then it'll go."

Ironically, Arroyo said his primary focus is on improving in the field, a bigger concern in the view of scouts. He's committed two errors so far in nine AFL games.

"Defensively, I'm always working on my footwork and always trying to get quicker," he said. "I'm always working to get my arm in the right slot so I can throw from different angles, and I'm also always working on my backhand and first-step quickness."

Fellow Giants prospect Mac Williamson hit a three-run homer in the third inning for Scottsdale, which also got a solo blast from second-ranked Indians prospect Clint Frazier in the same frame.

Angels prospect Caleb Adams belted a solo shot in the fifth for Mesa, while A's No. 6 prospect Renato Nunez hit safely in his fifth straight game with a 2-for-4 performance.

In other AFL action

Glendale 4, Peoria 1

Dodgers prospects Jacob Scavuzzo and Brandon Dixon clubbed solo homers, while Pirates No. 2 prospect Austin Meadows went 2-for-4 for his first multi-hit performance of the fall in the Desert Dogs' victory. Braves prospect Joseph Odom drove in the Javelinas' lone run with a two-out single. Gameday box score

Salt River 4, Surprise 1

Blue Jays right-hander Jeremy Gabryszwski held the Saguaros to two hits and a run over five innings, walking one and fanning four, to nab the win for the Rafters. D-backs No. 29 prospect Daniel Palka produced an RBI single and a sacrifice fly for Salt River. Cardinals No. 12 prospect Patrick Wisdom smacked a solo homer in a losing effort. Gameday box score