WARNING: The mic quality is atrocious for a video posted by MLB lol.

Franklin Arias is 20 (Nov 19, 2025). He is currently ranked 24th overall in MLB overall prospect rankings and 1st overall Red Sox prospect (by MLB, other very reliable sources such as SoxProspects have a different rating system and shouldn’t be ignored). He is very young, and notable for his high baseball IQ and defense. This video, despite the abysmal mic quality, is emphasizing that Arias really shocked a lot of people this year with his improvement in ”batted ball data.”

This is his summary from SoxProspects:

“Potential everyday regular at shortstop. Ceiling of a quality regular who provides value with his glove and contact ability. Hit tool is a standout tool, but lack of power and speed limits upside. Defensive profile provides him a solid floor. High baseball IQ; actively seeks to learn more and improve. Needs to get stronger and continue to physically mature to reach his potential.”

Figured I would share it here since MLB released this approximately three hours ago.

9 comments

  2. I think the window where you could trade him passed. now his ready date basically happens when the story deal expires. 

    he’s your SS in 2028

  3. Oh he is still very tradable. In fact, he likely becomes more tradable if they think they can flip him and get value.

    I don’t think they will because I think the mandate is to fill as many everyday positions with organizational developed, contract controlled players.

  4. Just want to keep seeing those contact numbers follow him through the minors and continue to develop. So many times a prospect gets hyped as a future starter (or star) and then when they get to majors it’s like, “Well, a lot of their value came from defense but they can kinda hit. If the hitting develops tho!” Like, yea no shit.

  5. I think prolly get too excited about prospects and need to read things like this. Low power, low speed. High baseball IQ. Solid defense.

    He’s near certain to be solid, but highly unlikely to be making any All Star team. I’ll take it, but just don’t start thinking this guy is a savior of any sort.

  6. Low power and low speed is notable. Even if he needs to be combined with another player he could be a valuable trade asset.

  7. For what it’s worth, “Hit tool is a standout tool, but lack of power and speed limits upside” also describes a kid like Jacob Wilson.

    Not every really good player has to have all five tools.

  8. I’m so glad we haven’t traded this kid. I’m all for improving the team by trading some prospects, but I .ike to hang onto some prospects as well. We’ve made some good trades the last couple of years, and we’ve improved our team, but I still wanna grow our own at the same time. I have my eyes on Arias as Story’s contract expires.

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