We have said countless times that we shouldn’t put too much stock on spring training stats and performances.
However, it’s hard not to get excited about certain developments.
For example, ever since he was demoted in the summer of 2024, Cleveland Guardians infielder Gabriel Arias hasn’t stopped hitting.
Triple-A, the Venezuelan Winter League, and now spring training have witnessed Arias’ resurgence in recent months.
On Monday, Arias showed the world the kind of power he has by sending a ball 445 feet into the Arizona sky for a home run.
“Cleveland #Guardians INF Gabriel Arias demolished a baseball in the 1st inning today vs the D-Backs for a 445 foot solo HR that came off the bat at 116.0 mph!” Guardians Prospective posted on X.
Cleveland #Guardians INF Gabriel Arias demolished a baseball in the 1st inning today vs the D-Backs for a 445 foot solo HR that came off the bat at 116.0 mph!#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/MpAWUGIiL8
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) February 24, 2025
The jaw-dropping blast came against Zac Gallen, no less, an ace in his prime.
The Arizona Diamondbacks ended up winning the game 4-3 and the home run was Arias’ only hit of the afternoon, but boy, you can’t deny it was a majestic blast.
After posting a 70 wRC+ in 53 games with the Guardians’ MLB team, Arias went on to increase that number to 130 in Columbus after being demoted.
It became clear that his approach changed for the better.
Then, he went to Venezuela and delivered a .911 OPS in 27 games.
Now, he is turning heads in spring training.
If Arias can keep this up for a few more weeks, he might as well win the second base job and send rookie Juan Brito to Triple-A.
As good as promising as Brito is, he doesn’t appear to have the kind of ceiling Arias boasts.
If everything clicks, he can be a fantastic player.
NEXT: Guardians Owner Larry Dolan Passes Away
