Road to The Show™: Yankees' Arias

Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. Here's a look at fourth-ranked Yankees prospect Roderick Arias. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here.

The Yankees may have a prospect headed toward the Bronx that's got moves like the "Soto Shuffle."

Roderick Arias not only possesses elite speed, defense and developing raw power, but he also sports his own shimmy-shake at the plate that's reminiscent of Yankees outfielder and four-time All-Star Juan Soto. And that's no coincidence.

"It gets me into the game so I can focus well and not feel pressure at the plate," Arias told MLB.com about his shuffle move during at-bats. "I like doing that because I can really handle the pitching and it helps me improve my game at the plate."

Always an admirer of Soto's game while growing up in the Dominican Republic, the 19-year-old got a chance to share a clubhouse with his role model in his first big league camp this spring. In his first Grapefruit League game in March, the switch-hitting infielder delivered a bloop single and logged four innings at shortstop.

The Yankees' fourth-ranked prospect appeared in three Grapefruit League contests and the Yankees' Spring Breakout game against the Blue Jays. In total, he went 6-for-10 with a double, two runs and a pair of walks.

Considered the top international free agent in the 2022 class, New York used nearly 80 percent of its international bonus pool to ink the then 17-year-old to a $4 million deal that January.

Arias joined the Yankees' Rookie-level Dominican Summer League squad later that year but missed the first month the season with a wrist injury.

The 6-foot, 178-pounder returned to play in 32 games but never quite seemed right, slashing .194/.379/.370 with three homers, 11 RBIs and 46 strikeouts. His advanced plate discipline was still on display though as he worked 28 walks. He also proved to be an asset on the basepaths, stealing 10 bases on 12 attempts.

The Yankees brought him stateside to the Florida Complex League last year and Arias quickly lived up to his amateur scouting report. Putting all five plus-tools on display, including his 70-grade arm, he batted .267 with six homers, two triples, two doubles, 26 RBIs, 32 runs, 27 walks and 17 steals over 27 games.

In 23 starts at shortstop, Arias posted a .912 fielding percentage in 91 total chances. However, his season was cut short by a broken right thumb in July.

But with a clean bill of health and his first experience in big league camp under his belt, Arias began his first full-season with Single-A Tampa.

"I’ve become an aggressive, versatile player, who can help anyone who needs it," he said. "And I believe that physically, yes, I look good. I think last year I learned a lot from mistakes, and I think it was a good experience for 2024. I feel very good, thank God."

Over 15 games in July, Arias sports a .308/.431/.365 slash line with three doubles, 12 runs, four RBIs, 12 walks and seven stolen bases. He's also recorded six multi-hit efforts over this span.

"Well, I think, every day my goal is to keep improving as a person," he said. "Obviously the goal of every player, who is in an MLB organization, is to be in the big leagues. But my goal is to get better every day because I know I have my skills, but I must keep working every day, so that someone can see who I really am."

Arias doesn't turn 20 until September, but his play could put him on the fast track to the Bronx where his elite five tools and pull-power seems to be tailor made for the short-porch in right field.

Although he's had limited game experience, Arias has Yankees skipper Aaron Boone looking to the future.

"He’s a guy you can dream on," Boone said.