Born: May 23rd, 1998 in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

Height/Weight: 5’10” 180 lbs Bats/Throws: S/R

Scouting grades: Hit 55 | Power 50 | Run 45 | Field 50 | Arm 50 | Overall 45

Jonathan Aranda Scouting Report

Aranda becomes a must-add to the 40-man roster after a loud breakout performance like this. He only slashed between High-A and Double-A.

With an above-average walk and contact rates, 330/.418/.543 was achieved. He’s not a large guy, but because of the quality of his contact and his near-elite plate coverage, he should be able to generate more power.

His best position is second base, but this system will always have better defenders on their squad than him.

Aranda hit.333/.390/.458 in 40 games in the Mexican Winter League after a stint with the Rays, and he didn’t stop hitting when the Minor Leagues resumed this summer.

Aranda advanced to Double-A Montgomery, where he hit.325/.410/.540 with 10 homers and a 162 wRC+ in 79 games.

Aranda may not appear to be your traditional left-handed slugger at 5-foot-10, but he has the easy swing, strong bat speed, and impressive technique to make a lot of quality contact.

At most levels of the Rays’ farm system, he has struck out in less than 20% of his plate appearances, and in 2021, he combined that skill with some added oomph. His 14 home runs on two levels set a new career high for him.

In many ways, a solid hitter with some defensive versatility is the ideal Rays position-player prospect. Aranda, who led the system in all slash line categories in 2021, needs to be watched closely to see how he handles Triple-A and the Majors next season.

The Rays will find a place for him everywhere on the diamond if he can keep his bat on the same path.