Before the start of the 2025 season, NESN.com is evaluating several noteworthy prospects in the Boston Red Sox organization, using insight and analysis from industry experts to gauge each player’s outlook for the upcoming campaign. Next up: Franklin Arias.
The Red Sox have a revamped farm system centered around Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell.
Those three were locks to land on top-100 prospect lists entering 2025, but another Red Sox prospect made a surprising debut on some lists: Franklin Arias.
The Venezuelan infielder got his first true look at his future in the system last season. He didn’t disappoint, with all-around ability to grow with during the early stages of his professional career for the Red Sox.
The 19-year-old just finished his first season in affiliated ball, with most of that time spent at Low-A Salem. His stock will be intriguing to watch in 2025.
Here’s how Arias got here.
Background
Arias signed with the Red Sox as an international free agent in January 2023. He earned his first reps in the system that summer with a very strong outing in the Dominican Summer League.
He hit .350 in the DSL with an .893 OPS in a 37-game sample size. The 2024 season marked his first affiliated time, and he totaled 87 games between the Florida Complex League (FCL) and Low-A Salem. The young infielder maintained his production with a .309 batting average and an .896 OPS.
The development path is still very young for Arias, but early returns signal an interesting prospect to watch in the lower levels of the Red Sox system.
Scouting Report
Arias might not have a standout tool in his arsenal, but his well-rounded nature should allow for favorable development in the coming years.
Here’s how three industry minds projected Arias’ potential in the Red Sox system:
“True shortstop that has a glove that can play anywhere really,” Red Sox senior director of player development Brian Abraham told NESN.com. “Soft hands, moves really well up the middle. He’s consistent over there. A guy that’s going to be a plus defender in that position. A young player who continues to add good weight. He’s added about 15 pounds this offseason and continues to get stronger.”
“He’s a very good fielder,” SoxProspects.com director of scouting Ian Cundall told NESN.com. “He’s a very slick fielder. Good contact skills. What was really surprising last year was his ability to make hard contact. Good approach and makes a ton of contact.”
“Really advanced middle infielder,” Baseball America’s Geoff Pontes told NESN.com. “Really strong bat-to-ball skills and approach overall. Good production in the Florida Complex League, where he raked. He’s another guy who’s a few years away — he’s still pretty young — but a legitimate prospect who’s a top 100-caliber guy. A testament to (the Red Sox) continuing to get some hidden gems in the international market. He’s a pretty exciting player.”
Most-likely outcome: Up-the-middle infielder.
Arias has the hands to work up the middle. The area to watch, as previously noted, will be whether his physical build best fits him at shortstop or second base.
Best-case scenario: Starting shortstop.
Arias has the natural flow to stay at the position, and his growing commitment to strength training and filling out his body gives him a chance to stay at shortstop for the Red Sox.
Fenway forecast
The Red Sox have plenty of infield options in the next few years, so there’s no reason (or need) to rush Arias to the big leagues in the short term. Perhaps 2028 makes sense given the state of the positional group around the system.
SoxProspects.com ranking: No. 5
Arias already earned a respectable ranking and could rise with system graduations for the Red Sox in 2025.