Yandy Diaz

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #11 prospect in 2017
  The Indians haven't been heavy players in the expanding Cuban market, but in 2013 they signed Diaz for $300,000. His feel to hit has stood out in the U.S, as evidenced by a career .307 average with more walks than strikeouts as he climbed quickly to the high minors. Diaz hit .325 at Triple-A Columbus in 2016 to win the International League batting title and was named the circuit's top rookie. He has a good feel for the barrel and a disciplined approach, helping him make contact at a high rate. Diaz's approach comes at the detriment of power numbers, and he is still learning how to drive the ball--his nine home runs in 2016 were a career high. He has raw pop, but his approach is not geared to creating the loft necessary to hit homers. Diaz was primarily a second baseman in Cuba but moved to third base after signing with the Indians. He developed into an above-average defender at his new position, but the Indians began moving him around in 2016 to give him more versatility. He appeared at both second and third base and at all three outfield positions. Diaz's versatility gives him a chance to at least be a super-utility player, a role he could fill in Cleveland as soon as 2017.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #15 prospect in 2016
  The Indians haven't invested heavily in the Cuban free agent market, but in 2013 they signed Diaz for $300,000. After making his U.S. debut in 2014 at high Class A Carolina, he produced an all-star campaign in 2015 at Double-A Akron. Diaz has a good feel for the barrel and a disciplined approach, and he makes a lot of contact as a result. He led the Eastern League in on-base percentage (.412) and walks (78) in 2015. That approach comes at the detriment of power numbers, and he still is learning how to drive the ball. Diaz was primarily a second baseman in Cuba, but has become a gifted defender at third base. He has above-average arm strength and the hands necessary to be a solid defender. Diaz is on track to advance to Triple-A Columbus in 2016 and could soon become the first Cuban to play for the Indians since Danys Baez in 2003.