Workout videos has SF Giants fans excited for potential breakout prospect of 2024
Rayner Arias may not be a name all SF Giants fans are familiar with but that could change as soon as this season. The 17-year-old outfield prospect is training for the 2024 season. His father, Pablo Arias, posted some workout videos that have Giants fans excited.
Workout videos has SF Giants fans excited for potential breakout prospect of 2024
Rayner has been around baseball his entire life. His father appeared in parts of four seasons in the Detroit Tigers organization as a pitcher. During that time, he posted a 4.29 ERA while reaching Triple-A before hanging up his cleats for good following the 2002 season.
The younger Arias joined the Giants organization last offseason as the top international signing by the club in the 2023 cycle, inking a massive $2.7 million signing bonus. That was the Giants' largest investment in the amateur international market since they added Lucius Fox to a $6 million signing bonus in 2015.
Arias has quickly catapulted himself up the Giants' prospect rankings since signing. MLB.Com ranks him as the No. 6 prospect in the organization. The site highlights his baseball pedigree and feels that he has the tools to develop a solid offensive profile:
Because he grew up around the game, Arias is more advanced than most players his age. He has a smart approach at the plate and a good understanding of the strike zone. His quick right-handed swing and present strength already produce high exit velocities for a teenager, and he has room to add more muscle and grow into at least solid power.
There is a good chance that he moves even higher up the list with a strong season in 2024. The minor league season is still months away and there is a good chance that Arias begins the year in the Rookie League.
In the meantime, Arias' father posted some of his workout videos on X (formerly Twitter), starting with speed drills.
And, here is Arias taking some batting practice while flashing good bat speed and doing a nice job at keeping the ball in the air.
Arias had an impressive pro debut, slashing .414/.540/.793 with four home runs, 21 RBI, and 19 runs in 76 plate appearances before sustaining a season-ending wrist injury in the Dominican Summer League. He will be a name to watch in 2024.