The Red Sox just made a call that changes everything for their top prospect. Franklin Arias is moving to second base, and it is the right play. This isn’t a guess. The team is giving him more starts there as he gets closer to Boston. It is a clear sign of what they want him to do.
Arias has a boatload of talent, but the defense is the real story. He is young, so it is hard to know exactly what he brings right now. Yet there is no debate about his skill. He could make a huge impact because he is just that good. With Trevor Story locked in at shortstop, the path to second base is wide open.
Arias Has the Tools for the Job
Jesse Borek reported that the Red Sox continue to give Arias most of his reps at shortstop. Nevertheless, he has begun appearing more often at second base. This shift matters. Borek observed that his 60-grade glove is tied for the best among ranked prospects in the system. His arm strength aids him at both middle-infield positions.
The focus has been on his hit tool, and for good reason. Fans want to see impact on offense. But knowing he won’t have defensive issues is exciting. The Red Sox have learned that lesson before. A player who can field second base without mistakes is a gold mine. Arias fits that bill perfectly.
Winning Now While Waiting for Arias
The team needs to win games right now to get into the postseason. They just ended a three-game losing streak with a big win over the Royals. Ranger Suárez was the hero. He threw seven dominant innings and allowed only one run. The offense finally woke up too. Wilyer Abreu drove in two runs with a double in the sixth inning.
This victory put the Red Sox at 80-68. They are inching closer to clinching a Wild Card spot. Suárez improved to 7-4 on the year with a 3.33 ERA. He has allowed one run or fewer in four of his last six starts. The team is finding its rhythm just when it counts most.
The move for Arias shows the front office is thinking ahead. They know Story is staying.
