Uncommitted Spotlight: '22 SS Nick Arias
May 27, 2020
We continue our coverage of uncommitted players, spotlighting them to help maximize their exposure and assist them in the recruiting process. Today, we look at 2022 SS/RHP Nick Arias (Tucson Magnet).
Arias is currently ranked No. 9 overall in the state of AZ in the 2022 class, No. 1 at shortstop. He participated as a member of Team Arizona last summer in the 2019 Future Games. He's also slated to attend the event again this summer, assuming he doesn't commit first. Arias solidified his spot on this year's roster with a standout performance at the PBR Preseason All-State Games at Arizona State this past January. Sporting a frame that looked noticeably stronger, he showed some advanced actions across the board as well as playing the game faster than his 7.47 60-yard dash time would suggest. He hits from a spread out base with small stride, repeating easily. Looks to back-spin the baseball with a slightly downward swing path. One of the better BP rounds of the day in the showcase with a couple of loud LD singles in our games. He plays an easy & confident SS with an arm that plays at 88mph arm strength across the diamond. We haven't seen him throw on the mound at an event in a while but have seen him run his FB into the mid to upper 80's in the past. To start the spring HS season, Arias was hitting over .400 with 10 runs scored in 27 ABs before the shutdown. Arias should continue to be followed going into the summer season.
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Scouting Report
5-foot-11 165-pounds, looked noticeably stronger than last time we saw him with lean strength & definition throughout his frame. Hits from an athletic slightly spread out base. Uses a leg lift gathering weight into his back hip. Stays in control of his load, letting his body work into footstrike. Rhythm in his hands getting to a solid launch position. Gap to gap approach with flat path through the zone. Extension to swing, reaching at times. Above average pull contact at 88mph exit velocity. Hits some hard LD’s to pull side in our games for hits. Looked the part at shortstop. Showcased a strong arm across the diamond at 88mph with sure hands. Plays more athletically than 7.47 60-yard dash time would suggest. Should be followed closely.
The athletic 5-foot-11 155 pounder closed the game out with a nice 3 pitch mix. The FB was 80-83 and he showed the ability to command it down to his gloveside. More impressive was the confidence he showed in his secondary pitches, throwing both his 72-74 CH and 69-70 CB in any count. The delivery is easy, and once he gains strength he projects to be a highly regarded recruit. He also flew out to the track the opposite way and showed the ability to defend SS capably earlier in the game.
Large athletic SS at 5’11” 155lbs with body & athleticism to easily build strength on, arm strength shows to be a good tool for him in the future with effortless 85mph arm with carry across diamond, easy controlled movements in the INF funneling before throws, hits from a medium athletic setup with rhythm in a rock back trigger, consistently barreled up baseball gap to gap using opposite field especially well, 87 mph exit velocity, shows a lot of confidence in the way he plays the game, should be a high level prospect going forward.