Derek Diamond

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #210 prospect in 2022 draft
  School: Mississippi Committed/Drafted: Diamondbacks ’19 (40)
  Age At Draft: 21.5
  A 40th-round pick of the D-backs out of high school, Diamond is a truly puzzling draft decision for teams. At his best at Ole Miss, he’s looked like a second/third round pick with a 92-97 mph fastball and a plus low-80s slider to go with excellent athleticism. This year, he sat at 89-92 mph and a lighter, less-impressive slider. The results matched the lighter stuff. Diamond posted a 6.89 ERA and didn’t pitch in Omaha at all, although he did warm up in the bullpen.Diamond does have above-average control, and he has plenty of competitiveness to go with his athleticism. A team who saw him good in 2021 may still be willing to take a chance on Diamond, but the way he struggled in 2022, it’s going to be hard to make a case for him any earlier than late on day two of the draft.
• Ranked #270 prospect in 2019 draft
  Diamond was a showcase mainstay last summer, pitching at the Perfect Game National Showcase in Tampa Bay, the Under Armour All-America Game in Chicago, the Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif., and the Perfect Game All-America Classic in San Diego. He sat 89-93 mph through the summer and generated buzz as one of the top pitchers in the draft class, but he injured his right shoulder and pitched in only five games this spring. Diamond is a good athlete who played quarterback for his high school's football team. He has a clean delivery, shows advanced command for a prep and has a solid pitcher's frame at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. Diamond's fastball remained in the low 90s in his few outings this season, but his curveball took a step back, coming in around 65 mph. He shows feel to spin in general and has tinkered with a slider in the past. Teams like Diamond's talent, but given his injury and lack of innings this spring, they are wary of his high bonus demands. He is committed to Mississippi.

• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Diamond was a showcase mainstay last summer, pitching at the Perfect Game National Showcase in Tampa Bay, the Under Armour All-America Game in Chicago, the Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif., and the Perfect Game All-America Classic in San Diego. He sat 89-93 mph through the summer and generated buzz as one of the top pitchers in the draft class, but he injured his right shoulder and pitched in only five games this spring. Diamond is a good athlete who played quarterback for his high school's football team. He has a clean delivery, shows advanced command for a prep and has a solid pitcher's frame at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. Diamond's fastball remained in the low 90s in his few outings this season, but his curveball took a step back, coming in around 65 mph. He shows feel to spin in general and has tinkered with a slider in the past. Teams like Diamond's talent, but given his injury and lack of innings this spring, they are wary of his high bonus demands. He is committed to Mississippi.