Raymar Diaz
| IP | 712 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.906 |
| WHIP | 1.382 |
| BB/9 | 3.476 |
| SO/9 | 7.546 |
- Full name Raymar Ruben Diaz
- Born 11/13/1983 in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico
- Profile Ht.: 6'7" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Laredo CC
- Drafted in the 47th round (1,407th overall) by the Houston Astros in 2002.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Astros signed three draft-and-follows from the 2002 draft, and all of them made the top 30. While Scott Robinson (seventh round) and Ryan McKeller (45th) were drafted higher and received more exposure, initial returns indicate that Diaz (47th) is the best of the group. Houston originally drafted Diaz in the 29th round in 2001, as an outfielder out of a Puerto Rican high school. He went to Laredo (Texas) JC, where the Astros again drafted him as an outfielder in 2002. The Astros liked his speed and arm strength, and his 6-foot-7 frame projected power though there were questions about his bat. Laredo started using Diaz as a reliever last spring, and he immediately hit 91-92 mph with his fastball. Houston made him a full-time pitcher after signing him in May, and he surpassed their expectations with a 0.90 ERA and .162 opponent average in Rookie ball. He then surprised the Astros by joining Santurce in the Puerto Rican League and pitching well in middle relief. Diaz touches the mid-90s at times and has good spin on his inconsistent curveball. He still needs to hone his curve and command and develop a changeup, but he's coordinated and has a good delivery for someone of his size and inexperience. His winter showing makes it that much easier to send him to low Class A in 2004.
