Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40 | Overall: 40

Arias originally signed as a shortstop for $10,000 with the Blue Jays in July 2018, but he never played in an official game before getting released in May 2020. The Cubs picked him up as a pitcher in January 2021 and he spent most of the next two seasons figuring out how to throw strikes in Rookie ball. He broke out in 2023, fanning 110 in 81 1/3 innings between two Class A stops, and some executives with other clubs think he might have the best pure stuff in Chicago's system when he's on.

Arias presents an unusual look to hitters, working from a nearly sidearm slot and slinging fastballs that sit at 94-96 mph and touch 98 with heavy sinking and tailing action. His changeup shows flashes of becoming a plus pitch with upper-80s velocity to go with fade and sink. His mid-80s slider devours righties when he stays on top of it and creates some late bite, though it's more inconsistent than his other offerings and flattens out when he gets underneath it.

While Arias' low arm slot and whippy arm action create deception and electric life, they also limit his ability to provide strikes. The movement on his pitches makes them difficult to land in the zone at times and he may never have enough control or command to be a starter. Though he struggled following a late June promotion to High-A, the Cubs still protected him on their 40-man roster in the offseason and moved him to the bullpen to expedite his path to the big leagues.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45 

Arias originally turned pro as a shortstop with the Blue Jays, getting a $10,000 bonus out of the Dominican Republic in 2018, but never appeared in an official game before getting released in May 2020. After the Cubs signed him as a pitcher in January 2021, he spent most of his first two seasons in Rookie ball while issuing nearly a walk per inning. He opened eyes while dominating Single-A this year, with some scouts from other organizations saying he might have the nastiest stuff in Chicago's system. 

Arias works from a nearly sidearm slot, unleashing 94-98 mph fastballs with heavy sinking and tailing action. His changeup can be a plus pitch at times, arriving in the upper 80s with fade and sink. His mid-80s slider can be tough on right-handers when he stays on top of it and creates some bite, though it can flatten out when he gets underneath it.  

His future role is unclear because Arias is still relatively new to pitching and his pure stuff is much more impressive than his consistency and control. His low slot and whippy arm action create deception yet also hamper his ability to throw strikes. He has the upside of a quality starter or a high-leverage reliever but will need plenty of innings to develop. 

Awards

CAR Pitcher of the Week

Week	Team
06/04/2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	10/17/2024	RHP Michael Arias assigned to Tigres del Licey.
	10/01/2024	Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Michael Arias from Iowa Cubs.
	05/29/2024	RHP Michael Arias assigned to Iowa Cubs from Tennessee Smokies.
	03/08/2024	Chicago Cubs optioned RHP Michael Arias to Tennessee Smokies.
	03/07/2024	Chicago Cubs Prospects activated RHP Michael Arias.
	11/14/2023	Chicago Cubs selected the contract of RHP Michael Arias from South Bend Cubs.
	06/28/2023	RHP Michael Arias assigned to South Bend Cubs from Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
	06/28/2023	South Bend Cubs activated RHP Michael Arias.
	08/28/2022	SS Michael Arias assigned to Myrtle Beach Pelicans from ACL Cubs.
	06/06/2022	SS Michael Arias assigned to ACL Cubs.
	07/10/2021	SS Michael Arias assigned to DSL Cubs Blue from DSL Cubs Red.
	01/15/2021	Chicago Cubs signed free agent SS Michael Arias to a minor league contract.
	01/15/2021	SS Michael Arias assigned to DSL Cubs Red.
	05/29/2020	DSL Blue Jays released SS Michael Arias.
	06/01/2019	SS Michael Arias assigned to DSL Blue Jays from DSL Blue Jays.
	07/05/2018	Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent SS Michael Arias to a minor league contract.