Alex Arias spent five years in the minor leagues before reaching the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 1992.
He then spent 11 seasons in the major leagues including 1997, when the infielder helped the Florida Marlins win the franchise?s first World Series title against the Cleveland Indians. Now, Arias? career has come full circle, as he tries to get back to the big leagues again ? this time as a coach.
Arias made his full-time coaching debut this season, as he replaced Moe Hill as hitting coach for the Single-A Frederick Keys. The 38-year-old New York native spent 2005 as a player/coach with the Yuma Scorpions of the Golden Baseball League.
Arias said there are a lot of differences between coaching in the majors and minors, as the latter requires a coach to be more of a teacher. He added that it?s his job to show players the key to making it to the big leagues and staying there.
“In the minors, you?re learning the game, whereas in the majors you?re expected to know everything,” said Arias, who played for the Chicago Cubs, Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and New York Yankees. “There are a lot of players who make it to the majors on their ability, but they don?t stick around very long because they?re not smart enough.”
Director of minor-league operations Dave Stockstill said Arias brings many skills to the table.
“Alexbrings the experience of having played a number of different positions,” Stockstill said. “He has a great knowledge of base-running and bunting, and he is an outstanding teacher. Also, with so many players today coming from Latin America, it is important to have coaches who can communicate with everybody.”
THE ARIAS FILE
Born: Nov. 20, 1967
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Drafted: Third round by the Cubs in 1987
Did you know? Arias made his major-league debut with the Cubs on May 12, 1992 . . . His best season came in 1999, when he batted .303 with a .973 fielding percentage for the Phillies.
