What happened: Ron Washington received fresh recognition this week for his defensive work with Luis Arraez in San Francisco. Washington detailed his approach to sharpening infielders' skills during a 2019 behind-the-scenes session.

Why it matters: A stronger glove at second expands Arraez's value beyond his established contact hitting. His improvement also highlights the lasting influence of Washington's instruction methods.

What to watch: Arraez's defensive metrics over the final weeks will show whether the improvement holds across a full season.