Juan Diaz

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #12 prospect in 2002
  Diaz is an enigma. Signed as a free agent in 2000, after Major League Baseball voided his contract because the Dodgers had illegally scouted him and outfielder Josue Perez in Cuba, Diaz was on the verge of getting called up to Boston when he dislocated his ankle on a bad slide. Since getting hurt, he hasn't made an effort to stay in shape and is at least 25 pounds heavier than his listed weight of 225. He was close to 300 pounds when he reported to camp last year, so the Red Sox kept him in extended spring training to work on conditioning for two months. In late July, he was suspended for a few days following an altercation with a Pawtucket trainer over Diaz' refusal to ride a stationary bike. The shame in all of this is that Diaz is one of the best power hitters in the minors, as scouts give him the maximum grade on their 20-to-80 scale. He can crush any fastball, though he struggles against breaking balls. He's a base clogger who isn't agile enough to inspire much confidence at first base. Boston could use his righthander power to complement Manny Ramirez and Nomar Garciaparra, but Diaz has to show he cares before he'll get an opportunity.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #11 prospect in 2001
  Diaz had hit 65 homers in a little more than two seasons in the Dodgers organization when his contract was voided in June 1999. The commissioner's office ruled that Los Angeles had illegally scouted and signed Diaz and outfielder Josue Perez out of Cuba. While Perez signed quickly with the Phillies, Diaz held out for big money that didn't materialize and missed the rest of the year. After signing with Boston, Diaz' 2000 season was delayed by visa trouble and then ended prematurely when he fractured and dislocated his right ankle on a bad slide. While he was on the field, Diaz showed the best raw power in Boston's system. He has a short stroke and impressive bat speed. He was suspended for three games after getting caught using a grooved bat in Double-A, though that shouldn't have had anything to do with his power. Diaz is a purely offensive player who is challenged even by the defensive responsibilities of first base. He lacks agility and never will offer much with the glove. Diaz was on the verge of being promoted to Boston when he was injured. The Red Sox have several first baseman/DH types, but they might want to at least consider platooning Diaz after he batted .385 against lefthanders in 2000.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Eastern League #14 prospect in 2000
  Signed by Boston after his contract with the Dodgers was voided, Diaz emerged as the EL's premier power hitter during his 50-game stay with Trenton. Diaz blasted 17 homers before being promoted to Triple-A, where a fractured ankle ended his season. "He's going to be a guy who hits 30-plus home runs in the big leagues," Davis said. "He has such a good swing. It's not long. He has bat speed. He's able to put the bat on the ball and when he does, it's on the good part of the bat. I don't see a certain way to pitch him where he can't hurt you." Diaz doesn’t do much besides mash, but that’s all a first baseman is really asked to do. Not even a midseason controversy over a grooved bat could tarnish his image. "Grooving a bat doesn't make the ball go any farther," Etchebarren said. "It's not like a corked bat. That guy has some bat speed. He was here for about a month and he hit 17 home runs. I like him a lot. I don't know what kind of first baseman he is, but he can hit."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Signed by Boston after his contract with the Dodgers was voided, Diaz emerged as the EL's premier power hitter during his 50-game stay with Trenton. Diaz blasted 17 homers before being promoted to Triple-A, where a fractured ankle ended his season. "He's going to be a guy who hits 30-plus home runs in the big leagues," Davis said. "He has such a good swing. It's not long. He has bat speed. He's able to put the bat on the ball and when he does, it's on the good part of the bat. I don't see a certain way to pitch him where he can't hurt you." Diaz doesn’t do much besides mash, but that’s all a first baseman is really asked to do. Not even a midseason controversy over a grooved bat could tarnish his image. "Grooving a bat doesn't make the ball go any farther," Etchebarren said. "It's not like a corked bat. That guy has some bat speed. He was here for about a month and he hit 17 home runs. I like him a lot. I don't know what kind of first baseman he is, but he can hit."