Arias chucks 'timid' approach at the plate

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Last July, Gabriel Arias wasn’t surprised the Guardians sent him down to Triple-A.

Approaching 200 Major League games in his career, his batting average sits at .212, and he is prone to strikeouts. But he has some pop, as he showed in 2023 with 10 homers and 15 doubles in 315 at-bats.

Things looked promising when Arias appeared in a career-high 122 big league games in 2023. That number dipped, however, to 53 last season, and he was optioned to Columbus for more work.

He knew where to start.

“I was timid at the plate -- and also the way I was using my hands,” Arias said through interpreter Agustin Rivero on Thursday, Arias’ 25th birthday. “All of that, combined with the approach that I was getting at the plate.”

Arias got the call at DH on Thursday against the White Sox. Designated hitter is one of many spots in the lineup for Arias who has played every infield and outfield position with the Guards since 2022. His most starts (62) have come at shortstop, where he displays “an absolute cannon” of an arm, said Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt.

“You put Gabby Arias anywhere on the field, he’s probably going to be one of the best defenders in that spot just because he’s so talented,” Vogt said this week.

Arias finds himself in camp with serious competition at second base after three-time Gold Glover Andrés Giménez was dealt to the Blue Jays in the offseason. Defense, Arias has. It’s the work he has put in at the plate that has caught Vogt’s attention.

In 178 plate appearances at Triple-A Columbus in the second half of last year, Arias posted a slash line of .317/.360/.545. He went back home to play for the Venezuelan Baseball League All-Star team in December. On Christmas Eve, he was assigned to Magallanes and hit safely in his first four games.

He and Vogt credit much of Arias’ turnaround at the plate to the tutelage of Junior Betances, hitting coach within Cleveland’s player development system.

“Very challenging for me,” Arias said. “From time to time, I just let it happen and bought into what he was saying. I have to thank him because he had the time and perseverance with me to make those things happen. It was very helpful for me, but I know it was a long process. It wasn’t easy.”

A few weeks later, Arias is in Arizona, looking to make his third straight Opening Day roster.

Even on Arias’ 25th birthday, Vogt knows sometimes getting older in baseball isn’t as bad as it sounds.

“The older you get, the smarter you get,” Vogt said. “The more pitches you’ve seen, the more experience you have. Those things can really help it click at the right time. He’s one of the most talented baseball players on the planet. I’m just excited to watch him continue to progress towards that clicking moment.”

Notable
? Left-hander Logan Allen made his second appearance of the spring in the Guardians’ 4-2 loss to the White Sox and looked strong again. Allen allowed one hit and one walk while fanning four in 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

“I thought Logan threw the ball pretty well overall,” Vogt said. “A little bit of command issues, but all in all, Logan’s looking really sharp attacking the strike zone.”

? Vogt is more pleased with his roster’s progress than worried about Cleveland’s 1-5 record in the Cactus League.

“Obviously, we wish we were winning some games,” he said. “It’s always more fun to win. I don’t care if it’s Spring Training or not. At the same time, our work has been great for two weeks and we’re continuing to have individualized conversations with everybody.”