The Dexter Southfield baseball field was one of the marquee attractions for MLB regional scouts this spring due to the highly anticipated prep debut of first-round talent Joshua Baez.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Baez didn't disappoint, flashing a tool set that is extremely rare at the prep level. However, despite Baez's ability to smash 450-foot home runs and pitch in the mid- to high-90s, many scouts found their attention focused on another Latin American player positioned in Dexter's middle infield -- junior shortstop Ivan Arias.
Like Baez, Arias hails from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Also like Baez, Arias made his debut at the New England prep level this spring and blew away scouts.
Anyone who saw Arias perform at the Area Code Games tryouts last summer can vouch for his ability to look every bit the part of a pro prospect in the field. Simply watching Arias take infield practice can be a treat as he mixes smooth agility with soft hands and a cannon for an arm.
