Yankees Prospect Poised For Breakout Season

The New York Yankees paid this prospect $4 million two years ago and it may be time for him to get a big break.

The New York Yankees are never opposed to spending money. Well, almost never. But if cold, hard cash makes their team better, more often than not they’re on board.

That includes the international market, where each year the Yankees mine Latin America and the Caribbean looking for young talent and, at times, handing out big checks to get them to sign.

One such player is Roderick Arias. And MLB.com believes that 2024 is his time to break out.

When Arias was part of the 2022 international signing pool, he was in his native Dominican Republic and not yet 18 years old. The Yankees gave him life-changing money — $4 million.

Two years later his development has been filled with fits and starts.

After the signing he spent his time with the Yankees’ Dominican Summer League team. He played in 31 games but only batted .194 with three home runs and 11 RBI.

Last season, the Yankees deemed him not yet ready for a full-season affiliate, but they brought him stateside and put him with their Florida Complex League rookie team.

In four fewer games his numbers jumped. He slashed .267/.423/.505/.928 with six home runs and 26 RBI.

His problem to this point has been injuries. Wrist and thumb injuries have kept him from putting in full short seasons in both 2022 and 2023.

But Arias is already so well thought of that he is already considered the Yankees’ No. 6 prospect. What is next for him may be a spot with a Yankees full-season affiliate in 2024, most likely in Tampa.

It may take some time to get to Yankee Stadium, but he could make a big jump this season.