Weekend Dynasty Baseball Pickups - May 3/26

Hello and welcome to the Dynasty Baseball Pickups written series!

You might recognize a lot of the names in this article from Charles Trimble’s first PLIVE+ and PLIVE- Deep Sea Diving articles earlier this week, but I swear I had these names on my list before his articles came out. How’s that old saying go? “Great minds think alike,” Or do they just let PLIVE+ do the thinking for them? Regardless of who did the thinking, I’ve got some intriguing prospects for you this week, including a repeat from my articles last year, an arm who might not be too far from a big league debut, and a trio of bats who have been among the hottest hitters in the minor leagues to start the year. Now, let's get into those names that you need to know.

Note: all stats current through Friday May 1/26 and all minor league Statcast data is sourced from TJ Stats unless otherwise stated.

Weekend Pickups

Robert Arias - 19/OF/CLE/A

Photo Credit: mlb.com

Height/weight: 6’2”/180

Bats/throws: L/L

Fantrax roster%: 7%

PLive+: 122

PLive Prospect ranking (February ‘26): 504

PLive Tools (‘26): Hit: 60, Power: 45, Run: 60, Field: 50, Arm: 45

2025 stats (CPX): 198 PA, .287/.389/.402, 2 HR/29 SB, 11.1% K%/14.6% BB%, 116 wRC+

2026 stats (A): 95 PA, .341/.432/.500, 3 HR/11 SB, 14.7% K%/13.7% BB%, 153 wRC+

Why To Pick Up

Known for his speed and contact ability, Arias struck out less than 12% of the time and stole exactly 29 bags on 33 attempts (87.9% success) in each of his first two professional seasons in the DSL and Complex ball. So far in his full-season debut at Single-A, the strikeout rate is up a little bit (still a very strong 14.7%), but he’s also been a menace on the base paths with 11 steals in 12 attempts (91.7% success). Despite the slight increase in strikeout rate, he’s actually walking nearly as much as he’s striking out (14:13 K:BB) and making the most contact of his career with an 81.2% contact rate and 8.6% swinging-strike rate.

Maybe most encouraging, though, is the fact that he’s tapping into some power - with three home runs in his first 20 games, Arias has already set a new career high (previous was two in 2025). His .500 slugging percentage and .159 ISO would also be career highs if they maintain, and his seven total extra base hits are already halfway to his previous career high.

Why To Think Twice

Despite the power boost, Arias still has a 47.7% ground ball rate and a 20% HR/FB rate, which is around twice the average and more than four times his 2025 rate (4.8%). His hit tool and speed are strong enough that he could be a legitimate big leaguer even if the power never truly comes around, but his fantasy value will be in major question unless that power actualizes.

Final Thoughts

Although regression is surely coming for Arias’ power metrics, there is still plenty of reason to believe in the profile as a whole. We’ve seen a resurgence in the value of hit and speed profiles lately, as seen in names like Chandler Simpson. Arias seems like he could be at least that type of player, albeit with fewer stolen bases, but with the potential for significantly more power. That makes him an intriguing add in medium to shallow depth leagues, but in points formats, he could be viable in even shallower leagues thanks to his consistently solid K:BB (so far, this is the first year he hasn’t walked more than he’s struck out).

Where to pick up: Leagues with 250+ prospects rostered

FAAB bid: Minimal (0-5%)

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