Blue Jays 2026 end of season Prospect Countdown: No. 23 Victor Arias
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Sep 22, 2026, 19:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 22, 2026, 18:22 EDT
With the Toronto Blue Jays’ playoff aspirations all but gone, it’s prospect time!
This is a continuation of our 2026 second-half prospect countdown. Last time, we looked at RJ Schreck, who ranked as our 24th-best prospect. We’ll pick up where we left off, as another left-handed batting outfielder ranks as our 23rd-best prospect in the 2026 second-half update.
Like Schreck, Victor Arias has taken a step back this year, dropping to the mid-20s in our ranking. Let’s see what the 23-year-old has to offer.
Victor Arias
Position: Outfielder
Throws: Left
Born: August 24th, 2003
Acquired: 2019 International Free Agency
Previous ranking: 11th
Arias joined the organization during the 2019 International Free Agency period, making his professional debut in 2021 with the Dominican Summer League Blue Jays. Over 134 plate appearances, he slashed .248/.388/.339 with two long-balls, giving him a 118 wRC+.
That was the start of half a decade of success. The outfielder only appeared in 19 games in 2022, but had another strong DSL season. Moving stateside for the 2023 season, Arias slashed .222/.395/.393 with four home runs in 152 plate appearances with the Florida Complex League Blue Jays in 2023. He also got a cup of tea with the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays, and filled in late in the season for the Fisher Cats.
The 2024 season was Arias’ first full season of baseball, spending most of the year with the D-Jays. Over 76 games, the outfielder slashed .279/.386/.454 with a career-high eight blasts in 332 plate appearances, giving him a 141 wRC+. More impressive was his 10.8 BB% and 21.7 K%.
Before the end of the season, Arias joined the High-A Vancouver Canadians, appearing in 11 games where he slashed .324/.425/.353. That’s where he began the 2025 season, slashing .294/.381/.437 with five home runs in 318 plate appearances, with an 11.3 BB% and 20.1%. Arias finished his tenure with the lone minor league team in Canada with a 129 wRC+.
But like many prospects before him, Arias hit a wall upon reaching Double-A. Joining the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in mid-July, 2025, he slashed just .226/.293/.331 with two home runs in 150 plate appearances. More concerning was the jump in his strikeout rate, owning a 25.3 K% the rest of the season.
Still, there were some encouraging signs from his 2025 season, leading to us naming him as our 11th-best prospect heading into the season. Unfortunately, Arias couldn’t jump the hurdle in his first full Double-A season. Beginning the season injured, Arias slashed just .226/.277/.379 with a career-best 10 home runs. However, his BB% dropped to 6% while his K% sat at 23.6%, good for a 72 wRC+.
There’s still some potential in the 23-year-old’s bat, posting high exit velocities despite his 5’9”, 150 lbs frame. What will be the determining factor in his success moving forward is whether or not he can hit, as it lags far behind his average power. He’s a solid fielder with good speed, but to reach his potential, Arias must become a better all-around hitter.
Arias is Rule 5 Draft eligible this December, but is unlikely to be drafted given his tough season. He’ll likely begin the 2027 season repeating the Double-A level, where he’s need to show signs of improvement.
Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @CynthiaRDelaney.