2023 Chicago Cubs Top 30 Prospect Wraps: Michael Arias
InsidetheCubs.com will review each of the Chicago Cubs’ Top 30 prospects, as ranked by MLB.com at the end of the 2023 season.
No. 12: RHP Michael Arias, South Bend Cubs (High Class-A), Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Class-A)
Statistics for 2023: (22 games, all starts): 1-10, 4.09 ERA, 81.1 innings, 66 hits, 39 runs (37 earned), three home runs allowed, 51 walks, 110 strikeouts, .222 opponent batting average, 1.44 WHIP.
Season Transactions: Arias started the season with Myrle Beach and was promoted to South Bend on June 28.
Season Summary: Well, that win-loss record doesn’t look great. That’s when you start to look for the silver linings, and there are plenty for the right hander. Start with the three home runs allowed. That’s on 1,525 pitches. That more than makes up for the 2-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio. He held batters to a .222 average and even with the high ERA, he only allowed 39 total runs. Considering he started as a closer in 2021, he’s making progress as a starter.
Path Through the Organization: Toronto signed him for $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2018, but he never played a game in their organization and was released in 2020. Oh, and he was originally a shortstop. When the Cubs signed him in early 2021, he was making the conversion to be a pitcher and in 2022 he opened eyes with a .158 opponent batting average in 17 innings and allowed just two home runs.
What’s next: Right now, Arias is getting by on quality stuff, according to MLB.com scouts. He throws out of a sidearm, has a fastball that touches 98 miles per hour and is developing a quality change-up and slider. All three pitches have potential plus action. He’s starting to reach the point where it’s less about his stuff and more about his approach and location. He needs to show he can hit his spots in 2024, and if he can that could help reach Triple-A Iowa by the end of the season.
2023 Chicago Cubs Top 30 Prospect Wraps:
No. 30: Christian Franklin | No. 29: Brody McCullough | No. 28: Kohl Franklin | No. 27: Pablo Aliendo | No. 26: Porter Hodge | No. 25: Luke Little | No. 24: Jaxon Wiggins | No. 23: Caleb Kilian | No. 22: Josh Rivera | No. 21: Luis Vazquez | No. 20: Cristian Hernandez | No. 19: Brennen Davis | No. 18: B.J. Murray Jr. | No. 17: Haydn McGeary | No. 16: Derniche Valdez | No. 15: Drew Gray | No. 14: Alexander Canario | No. 13: Matt Mervis |
