Diosbel Arias Stats & Scouting Report

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Track Record: In 2014, Arias played on a stacked Cuban 18U national team that also included outfielder Julio Pablo Martinez and first baseman/outfielder Hasuan Viera. He left Cuba, signed with the Rangers for $700,000 on July 2, 2017, then reunited with Martinez and Viera in short-season Spokane, where all three players made their U.S. debuts in 2018.

Scouting Report: Arias never dominated against his peers in Cuba, but he put himself on the prospect radar by leading the Northwest League in on-base percentage, albeit as a 22-year-old in a college-heavy league. In Spokane, Arias consistently put together quality at-bats with a firm grasp of the strike zone. He has a simple, repeatable swing with good bat control and a line-drive approach, though his power is well-below-average. Arias is a below-average runner whose range and footwork won't play at shortstop. With a solid-average arm, Arias is a better fit defensively at third base, though his lack of power is a concern there, while second base could be another option.

The Future: Skeptical scouts still see a fringy prospect, but Arias could change that if he continues to hit in full-season ball, with low Class A Hickory his next step.

Arias was the shortstop on a talented Cuban national team in 2014 that included Yusniel Diaz, Michel Baez and Luis Robert, among others. The Rangers signed him for $700,000 as part of their 2017 international class, and he made his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League that August. Arias’ best tool is his bat. His .366 average was not only the best in the Northwest League, but led all Rangers minor leaguers. At 22 years old, however, and a veteran of the Cuban national circuit, Arias was a bit too advanced for the NWL. He showed a line-drive stroke and an ability to slow the game down on both sides of the ball. Arias was signed as a shortstop, but his below-average range and footwork means he’ll likely move to third base. If that happens, there will be more pressure to hit for power. Because of his age and pedigree, Arias is a candidate to jump straight to high Class A Down East in 2019.