ProfileHt.: 5'11" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut04/23/2008
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Free of Curtis Thigpen's shadow for the first time since 2004, Diaz thrived in Double-A last year. He had earned postseason all-star honors in the previous four seasons, and he might have done so again in the Eastern League had he not moved up to Triple-A in late July. Both Diaz and Thigpen are athletic receivers and righthanded batters with strong contact skills and good speed for catchers. Diaz is a free swinger with exceptional hand-eye coordination and he rarely strikes out. Though he makes lots of contact, Diaz doesn't drive the ball consistently because of a flat plane to his swing and an inside-out approach. He's also a classic bad-ball hitter who draws few walks. With loose actions and average arm strength, Diaz gets good carry on his throws, and he nailed 32 percent of basestealers in 2007. His game-calling has improved considerably over the past two seasons. Diaz will play every day in Triple-A this season.
Diaz has been remarkably consistent. Starting in 2003, when he won the Appalachian League batting title, he has earned all-star recognition and ranked among the top contact hitters in each of his leagues. He repeated high Class A in 2006 because the Jays wanted him to improve his game-calling and had Curtis Thigpen in Double-A. Diaz is a classic bad-ball hitter who puts the ball in play in nearly every at-bat, resulting in low strikeout and walk totals. With a flat plane to his swing and an inside-out approach, he doesn't hit many homers. He runs well for a catcher and threw out 31 percent of basestealers in 2006 with a strong, accurate arm. His blocking and receiving skills are average. He doesn't project as a regular but he could eventually become Thigpen's backup in Toronto. Diaz will move up to Double-A this year.
Diaz won the Appalachian League batting title in 2003 and has earned league all-star honors in each of the past two seasons. With quick wrists and hands positioned over the plate, Diaz can get his bat on just about any pitch. He's a classic bad-ball hitter who puts the ball in play nearly every at-bat, resulting in low walk and strikeout totals. A spray hitter with an inside-out swing, he has yet to develop much power. Diaz has a live body and runs surprisingly well for a catcher. He has a strong arm, throwing out 36 percent of basestealers in 2005, and he blocks balls well. His gamecalling needs a lot of improvement, as he needs to work better with his pitchers to formulate gameplans. With Curtis Thigpen moving ahead of him, Diaz may have to repeat high Class A until an everyday job opens in Double-A.
Diaz won the Appalachian League batting title in 2003 and earned a trip to the Futures Game last summer. While he has a free-swinging approach, he displays tremendous bat control and has established himself as one of the most difficult hitters in the minors to strike out. He has an inside-out stroke and sprays the ball to all fields, though he needs to do a better job of controling the strike zone and getting on base, especially if he wants to get the attention of the Blue Jays brass. Diaz also has shown little power at the plate. Behind the plate, his biggest assets are his leadership skills and ability to block pitches. He has an average arm and release, regularly getting the ball down to second in about 2.0 seconds on steals. He erased 28 percent of basestealers in 2004. Diaz has made progress in calling games. With Guillermo Quiroz and Curtis Thigpen ahead of him on the catching depth chart, Diaz' athletic ability enabled him to work out at second and third base during instructional league to enhance his versatility. He'll move up one level to high Class A this year. If Thigpen is there as well, Diaz could split time between catching and playing the infield.
Minor League Top Prospects
Diaz won the league batting crown by 30 points. While he rarely saw a pitch he didn't like, he made contact when he swung the bat and hit the ball with some juice. "I've never seen a guy hit the ball on the barrel of the bat more consistently than Diaz," McMullen said. "He makes adjustments and not only makes contact, but solid contact." Diaz' free swinging caused him to give away at-bats, which is contrary to the Blue Jays' emphasis on on-base percentage. His catching also leaves much to be desired. Several managers said he'll eventually wind up at second base or left field.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the South Atlantic League in 2004
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