Top Prospect Update: #3-Orlando Arcia

May 5, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; The Milwaukee Brewers logo on the field behind home plate prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

We continue our way down the Brewers top prospect list with our look at the our third ranked prospect at Reviewing the Brew, Shortstop Orlando Arcia.

Arcia is the first prospect that we have profiled that is not the consensus pick where our staff ranks him within the Brewers system. Baseball America ranks him seventh in the system where Jonathan Mayo at MLB.com positions him fourth. While opinion may vary, what 2014 has proved thus far is that Arcia belongs in the conversation at the top of the board.

While his defense is already considered major league ready, Arcia’s bat has translated sooner than many scouts expected. The 19-year old shortstop signed with the Brewers as an non-drafted free agent in 2010 and since then has advanced within the Brewers system currently occuying a spot on the High A Brevard County Manatees infield.

So far in 2014, Arcia is hitting .286 with three home runs and 36 runs batted in. While Arcia will not hit for much power in the future, he is a high contact higher who does not strikeout much. In 306 plate appearances in 2014, Arcia has 40 strikeouts. This profile has slotted him in the two slot in Viera for the majority of 2014, a spot that he probably will occupy in the future.

The Venezulen born Arcia has major league pedigree in his family, his brother Oswaldo is an outfielder for the Minnesota Twins. While Orlando does not possess his brother’s power, he does profile as a plus defender with outstanding range and above average arm which should allow him to stick at shortstop. He has good speed (currently 13 steals in 2014) for a guy that will probably hit toward the top of the lineup.

Arcia is still developing as a baseball player but the early returns are exciting, especially given the lack of depth in the middle infield within the system. While the Brewers are young up the middle of the their infield at the major league level, organzations like the Reds and Rangers have consistantly focued on system depth in the middle infield. With Arcia, Yadiel Rivera and now Jacob Gatewood the Brewers are beginning to fill that depth. Over time the chips will fall into place but for now fans should be excited about Arcia’s progress and the potential of the 19-year old but should not expect him to see Miller Park until at least 2017.