SF Giants farm director: 'There are big things in store for' Rayner Arias

SF Giants farm director Kyle Haines hinted at the organization's expectations for top 2023 IFA signing Rayner Arias in a conversation with FanGraphs.

The SF Giants signed teenage outfielder Rayner Arias for a $2.7 million signing bonus in January, making it clear that he was the organization's top target in this year's International Free Agent class. In a conversation with David Laurila of FanGraphs, Giants farm director Kyle Haines talked about Arias' first impression with the organization and

“He’s 16 years old — he’ll be 17 [on April 29] — and he’s here for spring training, fitting in really nicely with the older guys," Haines told Laurila. "You don’t even know he’s that young. When you think about it, he’s a sophomore, maybe a junior in high school, so it’s incredible watching him do what he does out here. Again, he’s fit in nicely. Seems like a great kid. Hard worker. There are big things in store for him, hopefully, over the next few years."

The Giants have had a lot of success in recent years in minor-league free agency. Closer Camilo Doval has been the first homegrown impact player to emerge in recent years, but many of the organization's top prospects (e.g., Marco Luciano, Luis Matos, Jairo Pomares, Aeverson Arteaga, Onil Perez, and Adrian Sugastey) were acquired through the IFA process. Alexander Canario was another fantastic find, who has emerged as a top prospect in the Cubs farm system since the Kris Bryant trade.

Haines later noted that the Giants are developing Arias as a center fielder. However, he called Arias' hit tool his "bread and butter." A scout with another National League team told Giants Baseball Insider last summer that they were high on Arias' offensive upside as well. Although they expect Arias to develop into a corner outfielder/first baseman with plus power.

Arias' youth and limited track record led him to fall outside of Giants Baseball Insider's preseason Giants prospect rankings, although he was an honorable mention. However, Arias could absolutely emerge as one of the best prospects in the organization with a strong professional debut.

While it's possible Rayner Arias could return to the Dominican Republic to play with the farm system's Dominican Summer League affiliates, the SF Giants could challenge him with a stateside assignment at the Arizona Complex League.