Dodgers News: Prospect Julio Urias Could Reach Big Leagues By 18

It’s no secret that Dodgers management has placed a premium on international scouting since in the past two trades they’ve made, an international money slot has been acquired.

With the success of Yasiel Puig and Hyun-Jin Ryu, the Dodgers are always looking for their next international success and he might be in the big leagues rather quickly.

According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, 16-year old Julio Arias could be in the big leagues within two years:

A number of people in the Dodgers organization are convinced 16-year-old lefty Julio Urias could be in the big leagues by the time he’s 18.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 20, 2013

The Dodgers signed Arias last August for close to $2 million and he’s performed beyond expectations this season at Low A in the Midwest League.

Arias is 2-0 with a 2.80 ERA, but the most impressive feat is he’s struck out 41 batters in just 35.1 innings pitched.

While Arias could find his way to the big leagues rather soon, the Dodgers are chasing Cuban defect Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez.

Gonzalez shares the same agent as Puig and according to him, he should be making his decision next week as the Dodgers are heavily involved in those negotiations.

With the success rate the Dodgers are having in finding international talent, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Arias at the big league level at such a young age.