Jump to content

Orioles #19 Prospect Leandro Arias - SS


Tony-OH

Recommended Posts

https://orioleshangout.com/2023/11/22/orioles-2023-19-prospect-leandro-arias-ss-2b/

The upside of a middle infielder with speed and pop is enough to put this 18-year old switch-hitter on the prospect list at #19.

The upside of a middle infielder with speed and pop is enough to put this 18-year old switch-hitter on the prospect list at #19.

Leandro Arias
Pos: SS/2B/3B
Bats: S
Throws: R
Age (as of Jun 30th) : 18
2023 Level: FCL

Tools (current/future value)
Hit: 25/50
Game Power: 35/50
Raw Power: 45/60
Run: 60/60
Defense: 35/50 at 2B, 30/45 at SS, 20/40 at 3B

image-9.png

Most Likely Future Role: Utility guy
Ceiling: 1st Division Starting 2nd baseman,

What we know: Quietly put up a nice season down in Sarasota as he's become the breakout middle infielder out of the strong J2 2022 signing class. At 6-foot-1 inches, he's not a big guy but he has surprising raw power from both sides of the plate. He's still trying to figure out how to bring it into games, but he did improve his ISO from .089 to .143 in a pitcher friendly Florida Complex League.

Most impressively he improved his approach at the plate walking as much as he struck out and putting up an impressive .381 WOBA and 110 wRC+. He upped his line drive rate to 19.6 while dropping his K rate from 21.6% last year to just 12.3%. Like a lot of young switch hitters, he's more advanced at the plate from the left side of the plate and will need to improve on his right-handed stroke in order to stick as a switch-hitter.

Defensively he struggled once again on the left side of the infield despite an above average arm. He just commits too many errors and the game definitely looks too fast for him at 3B. His best position is second base by far, but the Orioles will continue to give him looks at SS and 3B, though his 3B stats are pretty brutal. With above average speed, a move to the outfield could be in order if he can't stick on the dirt though his second base abilities have some promise.

image-10.png

What we don't know: We never really have a feel for a young player until they get that full season under their belt so he's on the list at this point because of the upside. Will his right-handed stick come around? Can he hit upper level pitching and velocity? Will he find a defensive home?

What we think: Arias has been the best so far of the International shortstops with Maikol Hernandez being a bust, Edwin Amparo having his struggles, and Luis Almeyda having shoulder issues so far. He's shown the most so far with the bat and FCL season was a nice step forward for him. He'll start 2024 in Delmarva as a 19-year old and we'll have a better idea of who he is as a prospect after next year.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Posts

    • Opportunity Cost and the importance of dry powder...  Also makes me wonder how Cease was valued...
    • I feel like plays like these have been a part of his entire tenure here. He has the speed but not the mental game. I expect him to be gone once Hays is ready.
    • The Orioles have gone 103 consecutive RS series without being swept, spanning 322 games including series of: 2 G: 8 times 3 G: 75 4 G: 19 5 G: 1 If the games were decided by coin flip, the odds of this occurring randomly would be approximately 1 in 785,670. In addition, the Orioles have now staved off a sweep in a regular-season series finale 13 times: 5/19/22 NYY 9-6 6/22/22 Was 7-0 7/3/22 Min 3-1 9/18/22 Tor 5-4 9/21/22 Det 8-1 5/28/23 Tex 3-2 6/8/23 Mil 6-3 6/18/23 ChC 6-3 7/2/23 Min 2-1 7/19/23 LAD 8-5 8/10/23 Hou 5-4 4/14/24 Mil 6-4 5/8/24 Was 7-6 It's amazing that they've gone 13-0 in such games, but it might be even more impressive (qualitatively, because the assumptions of defining a non-coin-flip model are truly daunting) that they've only gone to a win-or-be-swept finale 13 times when expectation by coin flip would be 25.1875.
    • The money is sunk at this point, but I don't think any polar answer is optimal here.  Bullpen by committee until someone emerges.  It's a little more difficult with the 3-batter rule, but that's how they need to roll and I credit Hyde for being ready with the quick hook for the last 10 days or so.
    • Great sequence in the 10th where Mateo singled, driving in Westburg, stole 2nd and went to 3rd on the overthrow.  Then Mateo scored on a wild pitch.  I've joined the Mateo fan club, at least as a utility player.  Having Mateo on base has to drive pitchers crazy.
    • As someone that was all for DFA’ing McKenna for Hicks last week, I really can’t fault him for tonight.   I’m impressed he stole the base. He sort of had to run there with two outs. He stole it. He just came off the bag. That happens.  The route may have not been the best because he was going to his left and as a RH thrower he was just trying to position himself to throw home. He doesn’t have Vlad Sr’s arm out there. That’s a .01% chance play there.  Our CF depth is pretty thin. I think the only way we DFA McKenna is if Hicks comes here. Kjerstad will be the one to go for Hays. Remember last August when at full strength/healthy Mullins, and only a 26 man roster, we rolled with a 4 man bench of McCann, Hicks, Mateo, Urias/Frazier/Westburg.  Oddly, we’re deep enough into the season, and CF depth is thin, that I’d say there’s a 50/50 shot McKenna doesn’t clear waivers. I don’t know we have the luxury of CF depth to DFA him w/o Hicks in the mix. 
    • I think they will DFA him. They already did it once. And the fact nobody claimed him means you’re probably right about not starting for other teams. 
  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...