The 19-year-old switch-hitter rarely looked overmatched at the plate, but he failed to generate power at Delmarva or Aberdeen.
It’s always difficult to project too far ahead with international free agents that sign as teenagers. The path to the big leagues is a long one, and a young player requires significant development before potentially achieving a lifelong dream.
That being said, there’s always traits that move the needle. Leandro Arias is a switch-hitting infielder with pop from both sides and an advanced approach at the plate. That’s the type of profile that earns a young man $600,000 at only 17 years old.
Baltimore signed Arias and added him to its Dominican Summer League roster back in 2022. A year later, Arias posted a .271/.370/.414 in the Florida Complex. The numbers, along with the pedigree, earned Arias a spot on the Shorebirds in 2024.
Arias slashed .213/.313./.291 over 67 games at Delmarva. He continued to display a sharp batting eye with 31 walks, but any potential power failed to shine through. Arias tallied nine doubles and only three homers at Low-A.
Arias was hindered by an early injury that prevented the 19-year-old from finding an early rhythm. He left a game on April 13 with left-leg discomfort and missed almost a full month. He returned to the FCL for seven games on a rehab assignment and absolutely dominated (.368/.500/.947) before rejoining the Shorebirds in May.
Arias profiles as a shortstop with an average glove and a strong arm. He mentioned José Reyes as player he looks up to in an interview earlier this year, and it’s not difficult to see a resemblance.
MLB.com describes Arias’ defense as “a work in progress,” but offers high remarks for his arm. “His above-average arm strength fits well at other spots and he still has the chance to grow into a bat-first infielder.”
The Orioles often rotate their infield prospects between multiple positions and Arias has been no exception. Arias spent time at second base, shortstop and third last season.
His numbers may not have leapt off the page, but the Orioles bumped the teenager up to Aberdeen in the middle of August. Arias went on to slash .247/.341/.301 over the final 20 games of the season.
The batting average and OBP actually improved with the IronBirds, but the power was nowhere to be found. Arias managed four doubles but failed to leave the yard in those 20 games. He posted nine walks and struck out 18 times while playing over three years below the average age at High-A.
The lack of game power should not evoke significant concern quite yet. The 19-year-old is definitely still filling out his frame, and he flashed power potential on multiple occasions. Arias lifted a grand slam over the right-field fence in a blowout victory on July 24, and he smashed a ball from the right side high over the wall back in June.
Most of the success Leandro Arias has had thus far has come batting lefty. This HR shows he’s got plenty of pop from the right side too, 400+ feet worth #hitter #prospect pic.twitter.com/mEY4Q8qPAc
— Eric_Birdland (@Eric_Birdland) June 9, 2024
Arias will likely return to Aberdeen for the start of the 2025 season. A strong performance could lead to a relatively quick promotion to Double-A, but the youngster remains over a year from the majors. Arias will turn 20 years old on February 5.
MLB Pipeline currently ranks Arias as Baltimore’s 21st best prospect. It’s too early to make a quality prediction on his future, but Arias holds the tools to jump up the prospect rankings by this time next season.
Previous 2024 prospect reviews: Heston Kjerstad, Frederick Bencosme, Justin Armbruester
Tomorrow: Brandon Young