Michael Arias

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #19 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: The Blue Jays signed Arias as a shortstop for $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2018, but they released him before he ever played a professional game. The Cubs signed him in 2021, converted him to pitching and watched him flourish. Arias played his first full season in 2023 across the Class A levels and logged a 4.09 ERA in 22 starts while flashing some of the best stuff in the organization. He struck out 110 batters in only 81.1 innings and started a combined no-hitter on July 6.
  
  Scouting Report: Arias is a lean, athletic righthander with tremendous arm strength. His two-seam fastball sits 95-96 mph and touches 98 with heavy sink out of a low arm slot and release point. Hitters struggle to square his fastball up with its velocity and movement, and it has a chance to be a plus-plus pitch as Arias gets stronger and throws even harder. Arias complements his two-seamer with an above-average, 87-90 mph changeup with late dive that he sells well to get swings and misses. His third pitch is an 83-86 mph, short slider that plays against righthanded hitters and has above-average potential. Arias keeps the ball on the ground and overwhelms hitters when he’s in the strike zone, but his control is below-average and his arm slot creates concern about the long-term health of his elbow.
  
  The Future: Arias is still relatively new to pitching and could improve his control enough to remain a starter. If not, he has the stuff to be a high-leverage reliever.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40