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Red Sox coach on star prospect Franklin Arias: ‘I’ve never seen anything like that’
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- Red Sox coach on star prospect Franklin Arias: ‘I’ve never seen anything like that’
Red Sox top positional prospect Franklin Arias crushed seven homers in nine games for Double-A Portland from April 14-25.
“I’ve never seen anything like that in a short period of time where he was driving the ball to all parts of the field and putting himself in good counts,” former Portland manager Chad Epperson said.
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The Red Sox promoted Epperson to the big league staff to coach third base after firing manager Alex Cora and five other coaches last Saturday . But Epperson witnessed all seven of the 20-year-old shortstop’s home runs. That includes a walk-off pinch-hit two-run home run to give Portland a 4-3 win in Epperson’s final game managing the Sea Dogs last Saturday afternoon.
“His chase rate I think was like 18% at the time,” Epperson said. “It’s crazy for a young kid to be able to do that and it was really, really fun to watch.”
Arias entered Thursday batting .373 with a .434 on-base percentage, .746 slugging percentage, 1.180 OPS, seven home runs, four doubles, 18 RBIs and 14 runs in 19 games (76 plate appearances). He has struck out only nine times. He’s tied for third in the Eastern League in home runs.
Baseball America ranks Arias the Red Sox’ No. 2 prospect behind only pitcher Payton Tolle . Arias is ranked No. 46 on Baseball America’s Top 100 list .
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Baseball America graded his power 40 (below average) entering this season on its 20-80 grading scale. His BA scouting report noted , “He’s also an all-fields hitter, resulting in a clear hit-over-power profile, but with exit velocities topping out around 110 mph, he does have sneaky pop and the chance to add more if he gets stronger.”
Arias put on approximately 10 pounds during the offseason and he worked on his point of contact to get a bit further out in front as a way to more consistently hit the ball in the air.
“Kudos to the kid for putting in the work,” Epperson said. “He’s always that bat to ball ability. And now with the strength, he’s swinging the bat faster. He’s more confident to take chances when he wants to.”
Epperson made a good point about Arias’ hot start: He has done it in the colder Northeast weather. Arias, a native of Venezuela, began his other three minor league seasons in warmer climates. He started 2023 in the Dominican Republic, 2024 in Fort Myers, Florida, and 2025 in Salem, Virginia.
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“Especially in the cold. He’s never played in the cold before,” Epperson said. “I don’t think anybody expected him to go up and do what he’s doing now. We all knew the ability is there but he’s shown it to us a little earlier than probably anybody expected. But that’s always a good thing as well.”
Baseball America ranks Arias’ field tool 60 (plus) and his arm 55 (above average) on its 20-80 grading scale.
“His ability to dominate out of his pre-pitch allows him to be rangy,” Epperson said. “He takes pride in the one-star plays, the routine plays, but he also works his (expletive) off to make the five-star plays. So I attribute it to just his work ethic and God given ability.”
Epperson: ‘Bittersweet but grateful’
Epperson wasn’t looking to become a major league coach.
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He initially managed at Low A and High A from 2004-09 and won back-to-back California League Manager of the Year awards with Lancaster in 2007 and 2008.
He then spent the next 12 years as a catching coordinator in Boston ’s system. But his love for managing led him back to that role in 2022 with Portland.
“I’ll be the first one to tell you, and from the bottom of my heart, I don’t show up at (Portland’s) Hadlock (Field) for opportunities like these,” Epperson said. “I have a passion for it, and I love being around the kids, being able to impact them in their careers. You never know in this game. Obviously, it’s baseball. There was a need. I’m grateful for the opportunity. Bittersweet, but grateful. It’s a lot easier for me and Trace (interim manager Chad Tracy) to come in knowing that we’ve had 80% of these guys through their careers.”
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