Born04/29/1993 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic
ProfileHt.: 6'0" / Wt.: 234 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
The Reds have ignored the adage that short righthanders can't succeed, signing Johnny Cueto and seeing him develop into an ace, and getting Daniel Corcino to the brink of the majors. They now have Diaz in the pipeline, drawing Cueto and Corcino comparisons last season as he made his U.S. debut. Like Cueto and Corcino before him, Diaz wasn't a big name on the international scouting circuit--he signed for $30,000. He throws a little harder than either Cueto or Corcino did at the same age, sitting around 92-94 mph and touching 98 in the Arizona League, with a promising changeup and a hard slider. His delivery has no obvious flaws and his control is advanced for his age. Cueto made the jump from complex ball to low Class A, but Diaz is more likely to head to Billings to start 2013. Long-term, he has given no indication he can't remain a starter, other than his size. He projects as a potential frontline starter if he can survive the long trip from Arizona's complexes to the big leagues.
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