Could Michael Arias Be the Yankees’ Spring Surprise in the Bullpen?
The New York Yankees are heading into spring training with more bullpen questions than answers-and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. With turnover in the relief corps and a few key arms either underwhelming or unproven, there’s a real opportunity for a dark horse to make noise in Tampa.
One name to keep an eye on? Michael Arias.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Yankees' bullpen depth chart is in flux. Ryan Weathers might be the most notable addition to the pitching staff this offseason, but beyond that, things get murky.
Devin Williams and Luke Weaver are out. In their place?
Cade Winquest and Angel Chivilli-two arms that, at least on paper, don’t exactly scream “late-inning lockdown.” Winquest hasn’t pitched above Double-A, and Chivilli carries a career ERA north of six.
That’s not the kind of stat line that builds confidence heading into a 162-game grind.
Then there’s Jake Bird, who came over at last year’s trade deadline with some buzz but didn’t exactly deliver. After a rough stretch, he was quickly sent back down, and while the Yankees still like his upside, he has minor league options and something to prove.
Paul Blackburn is in the mix too, but he’s more of a rotation depth piece than a bullpen weapon. And if Ryan Yarbrough ends up needed in the rotation, that’s one more spot in the pen up for grabs.
All of that creates a vacuum-and Arias, with his electric stuff and intriguing backstory, could be the one to fill it.
From Shortstop to Sleeper Prospect
Arias’ path to the mound wasn’t exactly conventional. Originally signed by the Blue Jays as a shortstop back in 2018, he never logged a professional at-bat.
Instead, he resurfaced in 2021 as a pitcher with the Cubs, who saw something in his arm. That gamble paid off-at least for a while.
By 2023, Arias was turning heads with a breakout campaign. In 2024, he transitioned full-time to the bullpen, where his raw stuff really popped.
We’re talking about a mid-to-high 90s sinker with serious run, a filthy changeup that drops off the table, and a frisbee slider that can make hitters look foolish. It’s the kind of arsenal that makes scouts lean forward in their seats.
But with that movement comes volatility. Arias has struggled to harness his stuff, and the walk numbers bear that out.
Between Double-A and Triple-A in 2024, he posted a walk rate of 16.8%-a number that’s hard to live with, even for a strikeout artist. That lack of command knocked him off MLB Pipeline’s top 30 Yankees prospects list after he was claimed by New York.
Still, not everyone was ready to give up on him. FanGraphs slotted him in as the Yankees’ No. 19 prospect heading into 2025, recognizing the upside if he could just find the zone more consistently.
A Shortened Season, But Signs of Growth
Injuries limited Arias to just under 30 innings in 2025, most of them at Double-A Somerset. But when he was on the mound, there were encouraging signs.
He posted a 2.73 ERA across levels and brought the walk rate down to 12.8%. That’s still high, but it’s a step in the right direction-especially for a guy still adjusting to life as a full-time reliever.
The Yankees briefly cut ties with him this offseason to clear a 40-man roster spot, but quickly moved to bring him back. That tells you they still believe in the arm-and the upside.
What makes Arias especially intriguing is his background as a starter. He’s got three legit pitches and the ability to go more than one inning, which is a valuable trait in today’s bullpen landscape. While command issues would be a bigger red flag in a rotation role, they’re more manageable in relief-especially if he can miss bats at the rate he’s capable of.
The Path to the Bronx
With the Yankees’ bullpen picture still fuzzy, Arias has a real shot to pitch his way into the conversation this spring. He’s not the safest bet, and there’s work to be done, but the door is open. If he can show improved command and keep hitters off balance with his nasty three-pitch mix, there’s no reason he can’t break camp with the big league club.
Every spring, there’s at least one name that comes out of nowhere to earn a roster spot. Michael Arias has the stuff to be that guy for the Yankees in 2026. Whether he can put it all together in time is the big question-but the opportunity is there, and that’s more than most fringe arms get.