Athletics’ Jordan Diaz Is A Hit In Breakout Season

In an age when hitting seems a lost art, Jordan Diaz has become something of a Van Gogh with a bat. 

Diaz used his compact righthanded swing to thrive at two minor league levels this year, scorching line drives to all fields and finding gaps. The 22-year-old has shown increased power, and Athletics rewarded him with a September callup.

Diaz spent most of the season with Double-A Midland, hitting .319/.361/.507 with 15 home runs in 94 games. He hit .348 in 26 games for Triple-A Las Vegas prior to his 15-game MLB trial.

“He’s one of our best bat-to-ball skill guys,” A’s farm director Ed Sprague said. “We view him highly. He can really hit, and he always has.” 

There is a problem, though. Diaz has never found a position. He spent most of his minor league career at third base, but it was not a perfect fit. He has dabbled at left field and first base. He played mostly second base in Oakland, and well enough to provide hope for the future. 

Diaz signed out of Colombia in 2016 and has shown advanced hitting skills throughout the minors before taking off this season. Sprague says that Diaz has not changed much. 

“What he’s doing this year is not surprising,” Sprague said. “I always thought his bat-to-ball skills are really good. He’s probably matured in his consistency, but he’s always been a really gifted hitter.

“He might be swinging a little less at the first pitch, with a little less chase. He understands the strike zone a little better. Velocity has never bothered him.” 

At 5-foot-9 and a stocky 190 pounds, Diaz is a tick below-average on speed. His power is still in process. His 19 home runs in the minors this season indicate he could eventually develop at least average power as he continues to mature. 

The A’s hope Diaz will receive a winter ball assignment this year, where he can continue to work on his defense. If he can evolve into a second baseman with a plus-plus bat, Oakland will have a key player for the future. 

A’s ACORNS

— Catcher Will Simoneit made a big impression after being promoted Triple-A Las Vegas for the final 18 games and hitting .293. Simoneit played for Cornell, before moving to Wake Forest for grad school in 2020, where he got off to a big start before Covid closed down the program. He then signed with the A’s as a free agent after the season. 

— Reports from instructional league indicate the A’s officials have been impressed with the 2022 draft class, led by top pick Daniel Susac, a catcher from Arizona. Australian two-way player Bjay Cooke is to focus on pitching after debuting as a hitter in the Arizona Complex League.