Cincinnati Reds Prospect Profile: OF Junior Arias
By Adam Hughes
Next up on our list of the Cincinnati Reds‘ top prospects is outfielder Junior Arias.
More from Cincinnati Reds
- Johnny Cueto Trade: Reds Winners?
- Reds Recap: Win to Start the 2nd Half
- Does MLB Enslave Pete Rose?
- ICYMI: MLB All Star Weekend
- Reds Recap: Brewers’ Fireworks
Name: Junior Arias
Age: 23
Position: OF
Acquired: Signed as amateur free agent in 2008
Highest Level: High-A Bakersfield Blaze
2014 Statistics: 3 HR, 10 RBI, .236 BA, .336 OBP, .349 SLG, 15 SB
Overview:
Junior Arias joined the Reds’ organization as a 17-year-old prospect out of the Dominican Republic in 2008 and steadily worked his way through the lower rungs of the minor league system over five seasons, showing increasing power and good speed along the way. Stationed at High-A Bakersfield to start the 2014 season, though, Arias made it just eight games into the campaign before breaking his ankle. That injury sidelined him until July, when he began a rehab assignment with the Arizona League Reds.
Arias did make it back to the Blaze for nine games late in the season, but the small smattering of games split over many months left him with ugly numbers for the season. Between the three stops – on in Arizona and two in Bakersfield — he appeared in just 29 games and racked up only 123 plate appearances. Not surprisingly, he was never able to get in any kind of groove at the plate and finished with three home runs and an anemic slash line of .236/.336/.349.
Fielding was also a problem for Arias last season during his limited time in the lineup. In 22 games split between center field and right field, the youngster committed three errors in 30 chances for an even .900 fielding percentage. His range was also limited when compared to previous seasons, but most of that difference can almost certainly be attributed to recovering from a serious leg injury.
On the bright side, Arias did steal 15 stolen bases against just three times caught stealing.
Arias turned 23 years old in January, so he still has time to make his way to the Major Leagues, and he has flashed enough tools at the plate, on the bases and in the field to keep him among the Reds’ prospects to watch. He will likely start 2015 back in Bakersfield, with much to prove, and he could move up quickly if his legs are completely healthy and he picks up his form from 2013.
Riverfront ETA: 2018