Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

A Colombia native who thrived against better competition internationally more than anybody from his homeland in the 2022 international class (he was MLB Pipeline’s No. 41 prospect among that group), Arroyo signed for $1.375 million. The right-handed-hitting shortstop quickly rose through the Dominican Summer League, with a team-best .314 batting average, then raced through the Arizona Complex League in just four games to join Low-A Modesto in time to help the Nuts to the California League championship. In that run, he went 5-for-5 in the semifinals. 

That rapid ascent gave credence to the pedigree that he possesses as a well-rounded bat for his age. Built like a running back, he’s more mature physically than most of the Mariners’ middle infield prospects. He may not quite have the same hit tool or plate skills as Cole Young, but his feel for the barrel allows him to tap into sneaky power. He doesn’t sell out for it and is widely praised for an approach that allows him to see secondary stuff well and focus on driving the ball to all fields. It’s when he gets out of his approach and focuses more exclusively on pulling that ball that he gets into trouble. The most notable comp he’s received has been to Howie Kendrick.

Though Arroyo can hold his own with the arm strength and hands to play shortstop, his profile might be better suited at third or second base based on his range and lack of a plus run tool. There will be more pressure on the range as he keeps moving if he wants to hold onto shortstop, particularly among a crowded group at that position. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

What stood out most when the Mariners were scouting Arroyo was that he’d played against more and better competition internationally than anybody in the 2022 class, which led the club to sign him for $1.375 million. Part of why he flew under the radar was perhaps related to growing up in Colombia, where there’s less exposure than the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. 

The right-handed-hitting shortstop then went out and had what one scout called a “bulletproof” debut in the Dominican Summer League, where he slashed .314/.457/.484 in 199 plate appearances. The numbers wowed, but it was also the super advanced approach that stood out, putting Arroyo well above his years and peers. He has a more of a hit-over-power approach. All of his hit tools are very repeatable, too, leading to comparisons to Howie Kendrick based on his body type and swing. Some in the organization believe that Arroyo is the right-handed-hitting version of Cole Young. 

Defensively, he’s probably going to slide off shortstop, but the club will give him another year or two to prove himself there. Ranked No. 41 in the ‘22 international class, Arroyo’s bat sells as above-average to plus, and they’ll see where his glove falls from there.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

The Mariners made a big splash when the 2022 international signing period opened, and Arroyo was a big part of why. The club committed $1.375 million to the Dominican Republic native. The 17-year-old is known more for his hitting ability than power potential, but there’s no denying his elite skills and feel for hitting. Overall, Arroyo has five-tool potential and a chance to have above-average tools across the board if he continues to develop at a normal pace.

Arroyo, who was ranked No. 41 in the ‘22 international class, is at shortstop for now but could wind up at second or third base depending on how he fills out and hits. With a quick and compact swing, developing power and good knowledge of the zone, the right-handed hitter was considered one of the more advanced pure hitters in the class.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Arroyo reminds some scouts of Blue Jays prospect Manuel Beltre, an offensive-minded infielder with a ton of amateur at-bats and one of the top players in the international class of 2020-2021.

Like Beltre, Arroyo played in several tournaments in his home country and starred in showcases and private workouts for teams. He’s known more for his hitting ability than his power potential, but there’s no denying his elite skills and feel for hitting. Overall, Arroyo has five-tool potential and has a chance to have above-average tools across the board if he continues to develop at a normal pace.

He’s at shortstop now, but could end up at second base.

Arroyo trains with Jorge Oquendo and former Major League infielder Orlando Cabrera at Prospect Sport Colombia. The Mariners are the favorite to sign him.

Awards

MiLB Awards All-MiLB Prospect Second Team

Year	Team
2024

Baseball America Minor League All-Star

Year	Team
2024

Baseball America High Class A All-Star

Year	Team
2024

NWL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2024

CAL Player of the Week

Week	Team
04/28/2024
06/25/2023

Baseball America Rookie All-Star

Year	Team
2022

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	06/25/2024	SS Michael Arroyo assigned to Everett AquaSox from Modesto Nuts.
	03/07/2024	Seattle Mariners Prospects activated SS Michael Arroyo.
	03/03/2024	SS Michael Arroyo assigned to Seattle Mariners.
	07/14/2023	Modesto Nuts activated SS Michael Arroyo from the 7-day injured list.
	06/13/2023	SS Michael Arroyo assigned to Modesto Nuts from ACL Mariners.
	06/13/2023	Modesto Nuts placed SS Michael Arroyo on the 7-day injured list.
	06/05/2023	SS Michael Arroyo assigned to ACL Mariners.
	03/26/2023	SS Michael Arroyo roster status changed by Seattle Mariners.
	04/03/2022	SS Michael Arroyo assigned to DSL Mariners.
	01/15/2022	Seattle Mariners signed free agent SS Michael Arroyo to a minor league contract.