1. Early life
Gabriel DeJesus Arias was born on December 6, 1989, in Licey al Medio, Dominican Republic.
2. Professional career
Gabriel Arias's professional baseball journey began with his signing as an international free agent, leading him through various minor league systems in Major League Baseball before he established a significant presence in the Mexican League.
2.1. Minor League career
Arias spent a considerable portion of his early career developing within the minor league systems of four different Major League Baseball organizations, progressing through various levels and facing different challenges, including injuries.
2.1.1. Philadelphia Phillies
Arias began his professional career when he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an international free agent on July 24, 2007. He made his debut in the Dominican Summer League that year, appearing in 4 games for the Dominican Summer League Phillies. In 2008, he continued with the DSL Phillies, recording a 2.63 ERA in 17 appearances. Over the next two years, his performance improved, posting ERAs of 2.29 in 17 games in 2009 and 1.22 in 14 games in 2010 with the same team.
In 2011, Arias advanced to the Low-A level, playing for the Williamsport Crosscutters, where he maintained a 2.97 ERA and recorded 31 strikeouts over 24 appearances. The 2012 season saw him split his time between the High-A Clearwater Threshers and the Single-A Lakewood BlueClaws. During this period, he accumulated a 3.65 ERA and achieved 106 strikeouts across 101 and one-third innings in 37 contests. He returned to Clearwater in 2013, pitching effectively with a 2.47 ERA in 12 games before electing free agency on November 4, 2013.
2.1.2. Cleveland Indians
On December 19, 2013, Arias signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians. In 2014, he divided his season between the Triple-A Columbus Clippers and the Double-A Akron RubberDucks. He achieved a solid 14-6 win-loss record and a 3.68 ERA in 27 games. Following the season, he again elected free agency on November 4, 2014.
2.1.3. Arizona Diamondbacks
Arias's journey continued on November 19, 2014, when he signed another minor league contract, this time with the Arizona Diamondbacks. For the 2015 season, he played for the Triple-A Reno Aces and the Double-A Mobile BayBears. He compiled an 11-6 record with a 4.48 ERA, striking out 85 batters in 128 and two-thirds innings pitched across 24 contests, 23 of which were starts. On November 6, 2015, Arias once again elected free agency.
2.1.4. Washington Nationals
After not playing affiliated baseball in 2016, Arias signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on December 23, 2016. He spent the 2017 season with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, but his playing time was severely limited, as he pitched in only 2 games due to an injury. He became a free agent again on November 6, 2017.
2.2. Mexican League career
Following his time in the Major League Baseball minor league system, Gabriel Arias transitioned to the Mexican League, where he played for multiple teams and continued his professional pitching career.
2.2.1. Algodoneros de Unión Laguna
On July 12, 2018, Arias joined the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League. He made 10 starts for the club during the latter part of the season, but faced challenges, posting a 7.64 ERA in 55 and one-third innings of work.
2.2.2. Leones de Yucatán
Arias moved to the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League, signing with them on April 13, 2019. His tenure with the team was brief, as he tossed 6.0 innings with a 7.50 ERA in 7 appearances before being released on May 4 of the same year.
2.2.3. Pericos de Puebla
On June 26, 2019, Arias signed with the Pericos de Puebla of the Mexican League. In his initial stint with the team, he recorded a 3.00 ERA in 12 appearances during the 2019 season. The 2020 Mexican League season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing Arias from playing any games that year. He re-signed with the Pericos on June 10, 2021. However, his 2021 season was also significantly impacted by a shoulder injury, limiting him to just 3 games. In those appearances, he struck out 10 batters and allowed 4 earned runs in 11 and two-thirds innings pitched. He was subsequently released by Puebla on October 20.
3. International career
Gabriel Arias earned a significant achievement in his career by representing the Dominican Republic national baseball team on the international stage. He was selected for the team participating in the Baseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics, which was contested in July 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Arias joined the roster as a replacement for Diego Goris, who tested positive for cannabis. The Dominican Republic team went on to secure a bronze medal in the tournament, winning the third-place game.
