Junior Arias
| AB | 2309 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .246 |
| OBP | .298 |
| SLG | .4 |
| HR | 69 |
- Full name Junior Felix Arias
- Born 01/09/1992 in Bani, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Arias has as much talent as any position player in the system, but his career has moved at a very slow pace. After trying and failing to handle shortstop and third base, he adapted much better to center field. Arias missed almost the entire 2014 season after breaking his leg sliding into third base on April 11. He made it back to Bakersfield midway through August, played with the Reds' advanced instructional league team and then headed to the Dominican Republic for winter ball. He has above-average raw power, but he expands the zone too much. He's an above-average runner and has an above-average arm that plays in right field, but he has the speed and range to be a fringe-average center fielder as well. After six pro seasons, he needs to make it to Double-A Pensacola and prove he can handle more advanced pitchers. -
When the Reds moved Arias from third base to center field in 2013, everybody benefitted, from Arias to Reds pitchers to fans sitting behind first base at low Class A Dayton games. That's because he committed 36 errors in 95 games at the hot corner in 2012, 20 of which came on errant throws. Arias never was comfortable in the dirt, and his speed fits much better in the outfield. He's a solid defender in center with a chance to be above-average as he gets more fly balls under his belt. His arm is a tick above-average. Tools-wise, few in the organization can compare with Arias. A 70 runner, he has the ability to turn ground balls into infield hits. At the plate, he has above-average raw power, but he expands his zone too often and can look helpless against a pitcher who can locate his secondary stuff. Even though the move to the outfield jumpstarted Arias' development, the Reds left him off the 40-man roster and thus eligible for selection in the Rule 5 draft. Thanks to an elevated strikeout rate, his most likely role may be reserve outfielder with the arm for right and the speed for center. -
In the scouting leading up to the 2008 international signing period, Arias became one of the Reds' top targets. They learned he had an elbow problem that needed surgery, but when other teams backed off they decided to sign him anyway, giving him a $330,000 bonus. Because of the elbow problems, it took Arias two more years to get to the U.S., and he still shows some effects--his arm isn't as loose as it was before the surgery--but the Reds think the injury has given them a quality prospect at a bargain rate. Unlike other Latin shortstops in the system, Arias is more of a hitter than a glove man. His hits show plenty of carry when he squares up the ball, and he does it with a nice, short stroke and simple bat path. He shows plenty of opposite-field power. Like many young players, he's too aggressive and willing to chase pitches out of the zone. He has slightly above-average speed, but his long limbs and solid frame make it likely he'll end up as an average runner at best after he fills out. He'll probably outgrow shortstop at well. He played some third base in instructional league, and his average arm should play there. Arias should have enough bat for the position as well, and his bat may even play as a corner outfielder if he can't stick at third base. He should make his full-season debut at Dayton this spring.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Arias hit .231/.304/.389 in his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, but his bat came to life in Arizona, where he was one of the league's more exciting young hitters. He needs to improve his plate discipline, but there's no denying his power. "He's got a live bat," Reds manager Julio Garcia said. "It makes a different sound than most of the kids we have on our club." While AZL managers loved his bat, few believed Arias could remain at shortstop. Already 6-foot-2, he'll certainly outgrow the position. With his arm and speed both rated slightly above average, he should be able to handle a move to third base or the outfield.
