One topic that’s talked about quite a bit is how great Orioles GM Mike Elias has been at scouting and signing international prospects throughout his tenure.
Well, he proved it when he brought in infielder Leandeo Arias during the 2022 international signing class. Let’s break down the Orioles’ No. 21 overall prospect on this edition of Prospect Profiles.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 40 | Overall: 40
Coming into the 2022 international signing period, Arias was in the Domincan Republic as a 16-year-old kid. According to MLB Pipeline, Arias was working with the MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program, a program that helps international prospects get ready for the chance to play professional baseball. Arias got that chance when the O’s front office gave him a $600,000 contract.
Arias would make his name immediately, as he would collect two hits, including a double in his first game in the DSL. He would play in 46 games and have a .650 OPS while having an on-base percentage of .344. He would collect 34 total hits, seven doubles, two triples and one home run, walking 27 times and stealing 12 bases.
Arias would improve in every statistical category in the FCL the following season, upping his OPS to .784 and increasing his 2022 slugging percentage of .306 up to .414. He did all of this in two fewer games and 17 less at-bats.
The Santiago, Dominican native would start the 2024 season with the Low-A Delmarva Shorebirds and play just eight games to start the season before sustaining an injury to his left leg. He would miss a month of action until his return on May 10, when he had a seven-game rehab stint with the O’s FCL team.
The 19-year-old would hit for a .368 average during that stint and would spend most of the season with Delmarva before being called up to the High-A Aberdeen IronBirds on August 13, where he would finish the season.
Overall, Arias would play in 94 games and slash .230/.332/.332 with a .664 OPS, collecting 74 total hits, 16 doubles, a triple and five home runs while knocking in 49 RBIs. He also walked 44 times and stole seven bases.
The switch-hitter would show potential from both sides of the plate, as he only had a .015 difference in batting average and a .072 difference in OPS. Arias controls the strike zone well and demonstrates good bat-to-ball skills while flashing raw power.
Arias’ defense has been a work in progress since he signed as a shortstop, and he saw almost equal time at short, second base and third in 2023. His above-average arm strength fits well at other spots, and he still has the chance to grow into a bat-first infielder.
What are your thoughts on O’s No. 21 prospect, Leandro Arias? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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