WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2002
R:  3-1-0, 1.95 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 32.1 IP, 3.3 BB/9, 7.2 K/9
R+:  1-1-0, 3.65 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 12.1 IP, 4.4 BB/9, 10.2 K/9
A:  1-1-0, 3.94 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 16.0 IP, 5.6 BB/9, 3.9 K/9

Diaz had a good debut in the US, pitching mainly as a starter at three levels and doing well at the first two.

2003
R+:  0-0-0, 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 2.1 IP, 3.9 BB/9, 7.7 K/9
A:  0-1-0, 7.04 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, 15.1 IP, 3.5 BB/9, 4.7 K/9

The injury problems started, as Diaz was able to pitch fewer than 18 innings.

2004
A:  1-4-14, 2.12 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 34.0 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 15.6 K/9
A+:  0-1-6, 1.64 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 11.0 IP, 4.1 BB/9, 12.3 K/9

The Dodgers moved Diaz to the bullpen and he saved 20 games between the two class A levels, posting extremely high K rates and not allowing many hits.

2005
R:  0-0-0, 4.50 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 2.0 IP, 0.0 BB/9, 9.0 K/9
A+:  0-1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 15.2 IP, 6.9 BB/9, 10.3 K/9

Diaz appeared in only 16 games.

2006
R:  0-0-0, 4.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 2.0 IP, 0.0 BB/9, 0.0 K/9
A+:  0-1-2, 5.27 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 13.2 IP, 2.6 BB/9, 7.2 K/9
AA:  0-1-0, 3.46 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 13.0 IP, 3.5 BB/9, 2.8 K/9

More elbow problems, as Diaz appeared in only 18 games.

2007
A:  0-0-0, 6.75 ERA, 3.75 WHIP, 1.1 IP, 20.2 BB/9, 0.0 K/9

Diaz pitched in just two games and then had Tommy John surgery.

2008
Did not play

Diaz was recovering from the surgery.

2009
AA:  3-1-10, 3.63 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 39.2 IP, 5.2 BB/9, 8.4 K/9

Diaz signed with Texas and had a good season as the closer in AA.

2010

A+:  3-0-12, 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 26.2 IP, 3.0 BB/9, 11.1 K/9
AA:  1-0-4, 2.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 25.0 IP, 4.0 BB/9, 9.0 K/9

The Rangers wanted Diaz to pitch in Mexico, but when he refused they released him at the start of the season.  Diaz signed with the Orioles and split the season between high A and AA, mostly returning to his 2004 form.

2011
AA:  0-2-22, 1.41 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 32.0 IP, 3.7 BB/9, 10.7 K/9
AAA:  0-0-1, 5.68 ERA, 2.29 WHIP, 12.2 IP, 5.7 BB/9, 7.1 K/9

Diaz re-signed with Baltimore and mainly served as the closer in AA, putting up outstanding numbers.

2012
AAA:  1-2-3, 3.60 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 45.0 IP, 3.8 BB/9, 7.4 K/9

The Pirates assigned Diaz to Indianapolis, where he served mainly as a setup man.  He didn’t dominate the way he did in the lower minors, no doubt because it’s harder to rear back and throw the ball by upper level hitters.  His lower K rate shows he was easier to hit and he had control issues at times.  One of the Indians’ season highlights came when Diaz stole third in the final regular season game.

Diaz will pitch the 2013 season at age 29, so it’s very likely that he’s reached his ceiling.  He makes a good AAA depth guy, though, so the Pirates could try to bring him back.