Aledmys Diaz

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #12 prospect in 2016
  For the first time since he left Cuba in 2012, Diaz played a full season, with mixed results. Signed for a four-year, $8 million contract in March 2014, Diaz had been barred from signing for a year due to misrepresenting his age, then missed much of 2014 because of shoulder injuries. Diaz was healthy in 2015 but still was removed from the 40-man roster in July to make room for 35-year-old journeyman Dan Johnson. His performance after he passed through waivers, unclaimed by the other 29 clubs, was much stronger. He homered in the first game after the move at Double-A Springfield and hit .328 with 10 of his 13 home runs hit after that date. The Cardinals noted his improvement and higher energy level, as well as an improved approach at the plate, which helped him get to his power more consistently. Defensively, Diaz is more solid than flashy with average arm strength and range to play shortstop adequately, but few scouts consider him a long-term everyday option there in the big leagues. He's athletic enough to move around the diamond, and that seems like the most likely outcome for Diaz, who was added back to the 40-man after a solid showing in the Arizona Fall League. He'd have to hit his way onto the big league roster in 2016. Otherwise, he will head to Triple-A Memphis.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #11 prospect in 2015
  Major League Baseball barred Diaz, who left Cuba in 2012, from signing for a year because he misrepresented his age. The Cardinals signed him in March 2014 to a four-year, $8-million deal. Diaz hit .315/.404/.500 in his final season with Cuba's Villa Clara, and scouts saw a level swing that had some inside-out tendencies. His mannerisms reminded many scouts of Derek Jeter, and Diaz explained that's because he mimicked the Yankees great--how he ambled in the field, how he swung, his arm angle. Diaz's swing has punch that should complement the ability to hit for average with extra-base sprinkles. His bat is ahead of his fielding and some see him as a utility infielder or second baseman. The Cardinals see consistency that could stick at short. Shoulder trouble in 2014 limited Diaz to 47 games and led the Cardinals to move him to high Class A Palm Beach to be closer to the team's spring facilities. He'll start 2015 wherever there's the most playing time so the Cardinals can now see what their first foray into Cuba brought them.