Industry insiders report the Phillies are signing Jalvin Arias, a skilled Dominican outfielder, in a $1.4 million deal. Arias holds the 19th spot on MLB.com's list of international prospects. The agreement was made on the opening day of the 2024 signing period on Monday, but the club has not officially confirmed the deal.
Arias stands out with a well-defined 6-foot-3 frame, offering promising potential at just 17 years old. Drawing interest from multiple clubs, he honed his skills in the Dominican Republic under the guidance of Cristian Batista, an MLB Trainer Partnership Program member.
At an already solid 210 pounds with a gap-to-gap power, it's anticipated that he'll develop power as his body matures.
Defensively, he projects as an above-average fielder with a dependable arm who takes solid routes to the ball.
According to Baseball America, Arias stands out with his size and power, particularly notable for someone of his age. Flashes of plus raw power hint at the potential for a 70-grade on the 20-80 scouting scale.
While his power is evident, especially in batting practice, Arias needs to develop more adjustability in his swing and enhance plate discipline to mitigate swing-and-miss risks.
In the early stages of the scouting process, Arias showcased impressive athleticism, running plus times in the 60-yard dash, leading some scouts to believe he could excel in center field. However, as he has grown in size, the consensus suggests a likely trajectory toward a future in an outfield corner.
The Phillies entered Monday with roughly a pool of $4.5 million for international signings.
The club inked another highly touted prospect in the international pool in 2023, signing shortstop Starlyn Caba from Cuba for $3 million. Caba went on to have a solid first professional season, showcasing solid defense while hitting .301/.423/.346 with 17 RBIs over 38 games in the Domincan Summer League.
