Yusniel Diaz

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #23 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Signed for $15.5 million by the Dodgers and later used as the centerpiece in a trade that brought them Manny Machado in 2018, Diaz immediately became the Orioles’ top prospect but has seen his career stall out through injury and poor performance. He missed time in 2021 at Triple-A Norfolk with a quadriceps strain and turf toe, but had a .498 OPS over two levels when he was healthy.
  
  Scouting Report: Diaz’s talent is still there in flashes, though the Orioles believe he needs a sustained period of health to best demonstrate it. Despite a good approach at the plate, his load remains an issue and keeps him from making consistent hard contact. He could be a fringe-average hitter with pull power if he cleans that up, which could put pressure on his bat as he’s likely a corner outfielder despite some experience in center field. Diaz can be an average runner, but hasn’t been aggressive on the bases since his 2018 trade, with his plus arm currently his best tool.
  
  The Future: An inability to stay on the field has made Diaz a major question mark, but he still has the talent to be a second-division regular or bench outfielder if he regains consistency and health.
  
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #7 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Run: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  Track Record: Diaz signed with the Dodgers for $15.5 million out of Cuba and came to the Orioles in the July 2018 trade that sent Manny Machado to Los Angeles. He has been stuck at Double-A Bowie since and returned there to spend the summer at the alternate training site in 2020. Diaz stayed healthy and performed well at the alternate site, but couldn’t crack a crowded major league outfield group.
  
  Scouting Report: The Orioles challenged Diaz both at the plate and in the outfield this summer to try and foster some growth. While Diaz has a good understanding of the strike zone, he can either stay under control and be an above-average hitter with average power, or sell out for plus power and sacrifice average. A combination of both seems unlikely at this point, though he hit plenty of home runs in the secondary camp. Diaz is best suited defensively as an average corner outfielder with a plus arm, though he can play center field as needed.
  
  The Future: Diaz shows flashes of a special player when the lights come on, and the expectation is he can be a productive big leaguer once he gets there. He’ll have to perform at Triple-A in 2021 to get that chance.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #6 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Signed out of Cuba by the Dodgers for $15.5 million after the 2015 season, Diaz has spent three seasons in the U.S. trying to translate his considerable tools into consistent production. After being acquired in the Manny Machado trade in July 2018, Diaz impressed in his first big league camp with the Orioles, but a hamstring injury early and a quadriceps injury late limited him to 76 games in a stop-and-start year at Double-A Bowie.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Diaz has been trying to find a swing path that best utilizes his plus bat speed since turning pro. He's found success closing his stance and standing closer to home plate to cover more of the plate, but he's still prone to selling out for pull power. He produces with runners in scoring position and will take a walk. Overall, he projects as an above-average hitter with 20-home run power. Diaz is capable of filling in at center field but is best in right field, where his average speed and plus arm profile. His in-game habits and overall instincts are inconsistent, but his pregame work draws praise from coaches.
  
  THE FUTURE: Diaz has the tools to be an above-average everyday player, but hasn't consistently shown the production for it. He'll start 2020 at Triple-A Norfolk and will be in position to make his big league debut.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #1 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: An impressive prospect as a teenager in Cuba, Diaz, signed with the Dodgers for $15.5 million after the 2015 season. He began 2018 with Double-A Tulsa, put together a strong first half, and was fresh off a two-homer performance at the Futures Game in July when the Orioles made him the centerpiece of the Manny Machado trade. Diaz overdid it a bit trying to show he was worthy of that distinction at Double-A Bowie, but his low batting average did little to dampen expectations.
  
  Scouting Report: Diaz has a pretty well-rounded skill set, but the Orioles are working to continue the refinements he was making as a Dodger. He has fast hands and all-fields power, but is working to iron out his lower half. The Orioles observed that his back foot was pointed at the umpire; others saw his front half causing him to pull his hands through to quickly, taking away the opposite-field power that comes naturally to him. His ability to rein his swing in and hit the ball the other way late in counts, plus Diaz's ability to work a walk, indicate a strong approach that should allow him to continue to post high on-base percentages. He's proven capable of making adjustments both with the Dodgers and with the Orioles, and must realize that his bat speed and strength will supply plenty of power as he matures. He doesn't need to rush and get pull-happy to create holes in his swing. Defensively, Diaz showed the Orioles he can handle all three outfield positions, with enough range for center field but an arm that fits in right. His twitchy athleticism allows for plenty of projection to add to his above-average speed, but his career 44.4 percent stolen base rate shows he has work to do to turn his speed into an offensive weapon.
  
  The Future: In terms of ceiling and present pedigree, Diaz is a peerless talent among position players in the Orioles' system. He's the closest thing to an everyday impact player that the farm system boasts, and even if he doesn't show his entire range of skills immediately upon his arrival to the majors--which could be as soon as early 2019--Diaz is the type of player who will contribute enough to stick and grow into an above-average everyday player. He may push for a roster spot out of spring training, but with several other young outfielders on the roster already, Diaz may have to wait his turn at Triple-A Norfolk.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #6 prospect in 2018
  Diaz experienced great success in Cuba's junior leagues and major league before leaving the island. The Dodgers signed him for $15.5 million after the 2015 season and moved him aggressively, starting him at high Class A Rancho Cucamonga immediately and pushing him to Double-A Tulsa at age 21 in 2017. Diaz is an alluring package of strength, tools and athleticism, and he began to translate his raw gifts into consistent skills in 2017. After toning down his pre-pitch movement and adjusting his hand position early in the year, Diaz's bat was much more explosive and on time through the zone, showing above-average to plus contact ability and big exit velocities. He tends to drive the ball on a line from gap to gap rather than in the air, limiting his power production. Diaz expands the zone at times but is improving. He is an average runner but above-average underway on the basepaths and in the outfield. He is capable of playing center field but his range is more suited to right, where he tracks back well and his plus arm plays. Diaz is only beginning to turn his prolific tools into skills. He will start 2018 back at Double-A Tulsa with the chance for a quick move up to Triple-A.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #7 prospect in 2017
  Diaz was a standout player in Cuba's junior national leagues and excelled during his rookie year in Serie Nacional before leaving the country in 2015. He went to the Dominican Republic and signed with the Dodgers after the 2015 season for $15.5 million. In an aggressive assignment to the high Class A California League, Diaz held his own as one of the league's youngest players but missed time due to shoulder fatigue. Diaz has an exciting combination of athleticism, tools and performance record, though he's still learning to sync everything at the plate. He has plus bat speed and good hand-eye coordination to put the bat to the ball consistently, but he is considered to have average raw power at best. He doesn't show power in games--five of his eight Cal League home runs came in extreme hitters' parks in Lancaster and High Desert--as he doesn't use his lower half well. Diaz gears his swing more for low line drives, often shooting the ball the opposite way. He's a plus runner but doesn't get good jumps stealing bases. He played all three outfield spots with the speed and above-average arm to fit in center. Diaz has the upside to develop into an everyday center fielder but has to make adjustments to handle better pitching. He'll head to Double-A in 2017.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Eastern League #14 prospect in 2019
  Diaz spent two different stints on the injured list but managed to show an impressive skill set when on the field. July was the best month for the outfielder, as he hit .299/.353/.514 with 16 extra-base hits in 28 games. Diaz has plus bat speed and makes loud contact when he connects. Diaz is strong and shows above-average power with the bat. His range will allow him to stick in the outfield, but his plus arm should make him most suitable to play right field. While the tools are there, there are questions surrounding if he will ever put it all together as a player. While it was a rather pedestrian year for him, Diaz still has the ceiling of an average outfield regular.
• 
  Ranked Texas League #5 prospect in 2018
  Traded by the Dodgers to the Orioles as the top prospect in the Manny Machado deal, Diaz was one of four TL hitters who qualified for this ranking who posted more walks (43) than strikeouts (39). Diaz combined a discerning batting eye with emerging power. He slugged a career-high .477 in the TL and homered twice at the Futures Game. He went deep six times in the TL, however, and needs to improve his launch angle to reach the seats more frequently. Diaz made improvements in center field this season. He has a plus arm and potentially above-average range. He may be able to stay in center, but the 21-year-old has the bat and power potential to handle the profile of an everyday right fielder.
• 
  Ranked California League #8 prospect in 2017
  Diaz returned to the Cal League for the second straight season and went on a tear that resulted in a promotion to Double-A in July. Diaz always possessed alluring tools but began turning them into production this year, particularly at the plate. After limiting his pre-pitch movement and toning down his leg kick in mid-May, he hit .304/.357/.486 in 52 games up to his promotion and .333 with an .881 OPS in Double-A. "He was another consistent force in that Rancho Cucamonga lineup filled with guys who could hit home runs," Inland Empire manager Chad Tracy said. "He got on base a ton. He was consistent for them. It was a very dangerous lineup to go through and he was a part of that." Diaz remains raw in his outfield routes and decision-making, resulting in occasional drops, communication breakdowns or throws to the wrong base. He is a hard worker with good makeup and is expected to fix those issues with experience. As long as he does, Diaz projects best in right field as a potentially average defender with a plus arm but has the above-average speed to handle center as needed.
• 
  Ranked California League #5 prospect in 2016
  Diaz played just 82 games while dealing with recurring shoulder fatigue but showed immense potential on the field when healthy. Diaz showed the speed, body control and arm needed to handle center field, while increasingly opening eyes with his bat speed, hand-eye coordination and ability to use the whole field at the plate. "He's raw but you see the tools," Lancaster manager Ramon Vasquez said. "A little bit of power, he can drive the ball all over the field, he's got a decent arm. Definitely you can see good at-bats and aggressiveness on the fastball." Diaz's power is currently his only below-average tool, but it is growing, with some scouts projecting 20-25 home-run power as he grows into his lean frame.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #37 prospect in 2019

• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Signed for $15.5 million by the Dodgers and later used as the centerpiece in a trade that brought them Manny Machado in 2018, Diaz immediately became the Orioles’ top prospect but has seen his career stall out through injury and poor performance. He missed time in 2021 at Triple-A Norfolk with a quadriceps strain and turf toe, but had a .498 OPS over two levels when he was healthy.
  
  Scouting Report: Diaz’s talent is still there in flashes, though the Orioles believe he needs a sustained period of health to best demonstrate it. Despite a good approach at the plate, his load remains an issue and keeps him from making consistent hard contact. He could be a fringe-average hitter with pull power if he cleans that up, which could put pressure on his bat as he’s likely a corner outfielder despite some experience in center field. Diaz can be an average runner, but hasn’t been aggressive on the bases since his 2018 trade, with his plus arm currently his best tool.
  
  The Future: An inability to stay on the field has made Diaz a major question mark, but he still has the talent to be a second-division regular or bench outfielder if he regains consistency and health.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Run: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  Track Record: Diaz signed with the Dodgers for $15.5 million out of Cuba and came to the Orioles in the July 2018 trade that sent Manny Machado to Los Angeles. He has been stuck at Double-A Bowie since and returned there to spend the summer at the alternate training site in 2020. Diaz stayed healthy and performed well at the alternate site, but couldn't crack a crowded major league outfield group.
  
  Scouting Report: The Orioles challenged Diaz both at the plate and in the outfield this summer to try and foster some growth. While Diaz has a good understanding of the strike zone, he can either stay under control and be an above-average hitter with average power, or sell out for plus power and sacrifice average. A combination of both seems unlikely at this point, though he hit plenty of home runs in the secondary camp. Diaz is best suited defensively as an average corner outfielder with a plus arm, though he can play center field as needed.
  
  The Future: Diaz shows flashes of a special player when the lights come on, and the expectation is he can be a productive big leaguer once he gets there. He'll have to perform at Triple-A in 2021 to get that chance.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Run: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  Track Record: Diaz signed with the Dodgers for $15.5 million out of Cuba and came to the Orioles in the July 2018 trade that sent Manny Machado to Los Angeles. He has been stuck at Double-A Bowie since and returned there to spend the summer at the alternate training site in 2020. Diaz stayed healthy and performed well at the alternate site, but couldn’t crack a crowded major league outfield group.
  
  Scouting Report: The Orioles challenged Diaz both at the plate and in the outfield this summer to try and foster some growth. While Diaz has a good understanding of the strike zone, he can either stay under control and be an above-average hitter with average power, or sell out for plus power and sacrifice average. A combination of both seems unlikely at this point, though he hit plenty of home runs in the secondary camp. Diaz is best suited defensively as an average corner outfielder with a plus arm, though he can play center field as needed.
  
  The Future: Diaz shows flashes of a special player when the lights come on, and the expectation is he can be a productive big leaguer once he gets there. He’ll have to perform at Triple-A in 2021 to get that chance.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Run: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  Track Record: Diaz signed with the Dodgers for $15.5 million out of Cuba and came to the Orioles in the July 2018 trade that sent Manny Machado to Los Angeles. He has been stuck at Double-A Bowie since and returned there to spend the summer at the alternate training site in 2020. Diaz stayed healthy and performed well at the alternate site, but couldn’t crack a crowded major league outfield group.
  
  Scouting Report: The Orioles challenged Diaz both at the plate and in the outfield this summer to try and foster some growth. While Diaz has a good understanding of the strike zone, he can either stay under control and be an above-average hitter with average power, or sell out for plus power and sacrifice average. A combination of both seems unlikely at this point, though he hit plenty of home runs in the secondary camp. Diaz is best suited defensively as an average corner outfielder with a plus arm, though he can play center field as needed.
  
  The Future: Diaz shows flashes of a special player when the lights come on, and the expectation is he can be a productive big leaguer once he gets there. He’ll have to perform at Triple-A in 2021 to get that chance.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Signed out of Cuba by the Dodgers for $15.5 million after the 2015 season, Diaz has spent three seasons in the U.S. trying to translate his considerable tools into consistent production. After being acquired in the Manny Machado trade in July 2018, Diaz impressed in his first big league camp with the Orioles, but a hamstring injury early and a quadriceps injury late limited him to 76 games in a stop-and-start year at Double-A Bowie.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Diaz has been trying to find a swing path that best utilizes his plus bat speed since turning pro. He’s found success closing his stance and standing closer to home plate to cover more of the plate, but he’s still prone to selling out for pull power. He produces with runners in scoring position and will take a walk. Overall, he projects as an above-average hitter with 20-home run power. Diaz is capable of filling in at center field but is best in right field, where his average speed and plus arm profile. His in-game habits and overall instincts are inconsistent, but his pregame work draws praise from coaches.
  
  THE FUTURE: Diaz has the tools to be an above-average everyday player, but hasn’t consistently shown the production for it. He’ll start 2020 at Triple-A Norfolk and will be in position to make his big league debut.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Signed out of Cuba by the Dodgers for $15.5 million after the 2015 season, Diaz has spent three seasons in the U.S. trying to translate his considerable tools into consistent production. After being acquired in the Manny Machado trade in July 2018, Diaz impressed in his first big league camp with the Orioles, but a hamstring injury early and a quadriceps injury late limited him to 76 games in a stop-and-start year at Double-A Bowie.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Diaz has been trying to find a swing path that best utilizes his plus bat speed since turning pro. He's found success closing his stance and standing closer to home plate to cover more of the plate, but he's still prone to selling out for pull power. He produces with runners in scoring position and will take a walk. Overall, he projects as an above-average hitter with 20-home run power. Diaz is capable of filling in at center field but is best in right field, where his average speed and plus arm profile. His in-game habits and overall instincts are inconsistent, but his pregame work draws praise from coaches.
  
  THE FUTURE: Diaz has the tools to be an above-average everyday player, but hasn't consistently shown the production for it. He'll start 2020 at Triple-A Norfolk and will be in position to make his big league debut.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Diaz spent two different stints on the injured list but managed to show an impressive skill set when on the field. July was the best month for the outfielder, as he hit .299/.353/.514 with 16 extra-base hits in 28 games. Diaz has plus bat speed and makes loud contact when he connects. Diaz is strong and shows above-average power with the bat. His range will allow him to stick in the outfield, but his plus arm should make him most suitable to play right field. While the tools are there, there are questions surrounding if he will ever put it all together as a player. While it was a rather pedestrian year for him, Diaz still has the ceiling of an average outfield regular.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Track Record: An impressive prospect as a teenager in Cuba, Diaz, signed with the Dodgers for $15.5 million after the 2015 season. He began 2018 with Double-A Tulsa, put together a strong first half, and was fresh off a two-homer performance at the Futures Game in July when the Orioles made him the centerpiece of the Manny Machado trade. Diaz overdid it a bit trying to show he was worthy of that distinction at Double-A Bowie, but his low batting average did little to dampen expectations. Scouting Report: Diaz has a pretty well-rounded skill set, but the Orioles are working to continue the refinements he was making as a Dodger. He has fast hands and all-fields power, but is working to iron out his lower half. The Orioles observed that his back foot was pointed at the umpire; others saw his front half causing him to pull his hands through to quickly, taking away the opposite-field power that comes naturally to him. His ability to rein his swing in and hit the ball the other way late in counts, plus Diaz’s ability to work a walk, indicate a strong approach that should allow him to continue to post high on-base percentages. He’s proven capable of making adjustments both with the Dodgers and with the Orioles, and must realize that his bat speed and strength will supply plenty of power as he matures. He doesn’t need to rush and get pull-happy to create holes in his swing. Defensively, Diaz showed the Orioles he can handle all three outfield positions, with enough range for center field but an arm that fits in right. His twitchy athleticism allows for plenty of projection to add to his above-average speed, but his career 44.4 percent stolen base rate shows he has work to do to turn his speed into an offensive weapon. The Future: In terms of ceiling and present pedigree, Diaz is a peerless talent among position players in the Orioles’ system. He’s the closest thing to an everyday impact player that the farm system boasts, and even if he doesn’t show his entire range of skills immediately upon his arrival to the majors—which could be as soon as early 2019—Diaz is the type of player who will contribute enough to stick and grow into an above-average everyday player. He may push for a roster spot out of spring training, but with several other young outfielders on the roster already, Diaz may have to wait his turn at Triple-A Norfolk.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Major advancements to his pitch recognition and plate discipline have allowed Diaz to blossom even further after a breakout 2017. Diaz has posted more walks than strikeouts for the first time in his U.S. career, and is on pace to set career highs in all three slash line categories. Diaz’s outfield defense has leapt forward as well. He took over as the primary center fielder at Double-A Tulsa and showed the explosiveness and athleticism to stay there, while improving his communication and feel for the position. Combined with a slight uptick in his raw power as he's gotten more physical, Diaz blossomed into a Top 50 prospect and was the centerpiece of the Orioles trade return for Manny Machado.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Major advancements to his pitch recognition and plate discipline have allowed Diaz to blossom even further after a breakout 2017. Diaz has posted more walks than strikeouts for the first time in his U.S. career, and is on pace to set career highs in all three slash line categories. Diaz’s outfield defense has leapt forward as well. He has taken over as the primary center fielder in Tulsa and shown the explosiveness and athleticism to stay there, while improving his communication and feel for the position.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Unlike fellow countryman and 2015 signing classmate Yadier Alvarez, Diaz experienced great success in Cuba's junior leagues and major league before leaving the island. The Dodgers signed Diaz for $15.5 million after the 2015 season and moved him aggressively, starting him at high Class A Rancho Cucamonga immediately and pushing him to Double-A Tulsa at age 21 in 2017. Scouting Report: Diaz is an alluring package of strength, tools and athleticism, and he began to translate his raw gifts into consistent skills in 2017. After toning down his pre-pitch movement and adjusting his hand position early in the year, Diaz's bat was much more explosive and on time through the zone, showing above-average to plus contact ability and big exit velocities. He tends to drive the ball on a line rather than in the air, limiting his power production. Diaz expands the zone at times but is improving. He is an average runner but above-average underway. He is capable of playing center field but his range and instincts are more suited to right, where his plus arm plays.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Diaz was a standout player in Cuba's junior national leagues and excelled during his rookie year in Serie Nacional before leaving the country in 2015. He went to the Dominican Republic and signed with the Dodgers after the 2015 season for $15.5 million. In an aggressive assignment to the high Class A California League, Diaz held his own as one of the league's youngest players but missed time due to shoulder fatigue. Scouting Report: Diaz has an exciting combination of athleticism, tools and performance record, though he's still learning to sync everything at the plate. He has plus bat speed and good hand-eye coordination to put the bat to the ball consistently, but he is considered to have average raw power at best. He doesn't show power in games--five of his eight Cal League home runs came in extreme hitters' parks in Lancaster and High Desert--as he doesn't use his lower half well. Diaz gears his swing more for low line drives, often shooting the ball the opposite way. He's a plus runner but doesn't get good jumps stealing bases. He played all three outfield spots with the speed and above-average arm to fit in center.
  
  The Future: Diaz has the upside to develop into an everyday center fielder but has to make adjustments to handle better pitching. He'll head to Double-A in 2017.
• November, 2016 Scouting Report
  Diaz was a standout player coming up through Cuba's junior national leagues, traveling overseas to play on Cuba's 18U national team in 2013 and 2014. Diaz made his Serie Nacional debut during the 2014-15 season and excelled, ranking hitting .348/.447/.440 in 65 games. After Diaz left Cuba, the Dodgers were reported to have agreed to sign him for a $15.5 million bonus although no deal had been officially reported as of the publishing deadline for the Prospect Handbook. Diaz has a good combination of athleticism, speed and a track record of hitting. His hitting style is unconventional, but it's worked for him so far. His long swing leaves him vulnerable on the inner third and his back foot often slides out from underneath him when he swings, but his quick bat speed and hand-eye coordination allow him to consistently put the bat to the ball. Diaz didn't hit any home runs in Cuba, but he did add strength to his lean frame in the Dominican Republic, though he's more of a line-drive hitter who works the gaps and uses the whole field. His plate discipline is solid for his age, but he will expand the zone at times on pitches away. Diaz came up through the Cuban junior leagues as a center fielder, though he played left field last season as a rookie. He has the tools to play center field though, with plus speed, good body control and a strong arm. Diaz is advanced enough to make his pro debut in Class A.