Miguel Diaz Stats & Scouting Report — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

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Full name Miguel Angel Díaz
Born 11/28/1994 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 224 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 04/03/2017

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Diaz landed firmly on the Brewers' prospect radar in 2014 with a strong showing in the Rookie-level Arizona League. Despite his smallish size, he showed a big arm with a fastball consistently in the mid-90s and a high strikeout rate. The Brewers expected more big things in 2015, but Diaz suffered an avulsion fracture in his pitching elbow before getting out of spring training. He had surgery in mid-March and didn't get into a game until the end of July. Still just 21, Diaz has time to get back on track. When healthy, he features a live, loose arm with an explosive fastball that gets on hitters in a hurry. His No. 2 pitch is a slider he throws in the high 70s and keeps hitters off his heater. He has worked on a changeup that needs refinement and more differentiation in velocity from his fastball. Diaz throws from a high three-quarters arm slot and at times has issues repeating his delivery. The Brewers would love for Diaz to see time at low Class A Wisconsin in 2016 to see if he can develop his changeup and remain a potential starter.
Signed for the bargain amount of $85,000 in December 2011, Diaz quickly caught the attention of scouts while pitching in the Rookie-level Arizona League. Though small in stature, he improved his arm strength and lower-half coordination, which boosted his fastball velocity into the 94-96 mph range. He has a live, loose arm and the ball comes out of his hand well, and hitters often were late on his fastball. Diaz's slider is a quality pitch at 75-78 mph, though his command of it was spotty at times. He also throws a changeup, but it was too firm in the mid-80s and needs work. Diaz throws with a high three-quarters arm slot and sometimes had issues repeating his delivery. Regardless, his arm is electric, and if he develops his changeup, he could possibly develop into a mid-rotation starter. At the least, Diaz profiles as a power reliever. The 20-year-old probably will jump to low Class A Wisconsin in 2015.

Minor League Top Prospects

Signed for the bargain bonus amount of $85,000, Diaz spent the first two years of his career in the Dominican Summer League before making his U.S. debut this year. The buzz on Diaz's lightning arm started early and his appearances were heavily scouted throughout the summer. The key for his development was added strength in his arm and lower half, which allowed his velocity to bump to the 94-96 mph range. He maintained a live, loose arm. Diaz's breaking ball, which has slider action, is a quality pitch that comes in around 75-78 mph, but his mid-80s changeup is too firm at this point. His spotty control indicates he needs to repeat this high three-quarters delivery more frequently. If Diaz develops his changeup, he can stay in the rotation and develop into perhaps a mid-rotation starter. If not, he will become a power reliever.

Career Transactions

RHP Miguel Díaz assigned to Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
Houston Astros signed free agent RHP Miguel Díaz to a minor league contract.
RHP Miguel Díaz elected free agency.
Houston Astros sent RHP Miguel Díaz outright to Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
Houston Astros designated RHP Miguel Díaz for assignment.
Houston Astros activated RHP Miguel Díaz.
Houston Astros activated RHP Miguel Díaz.
Houston Astros claimed RHP Miguel Díaz off waivers from Detroit Tigers.
Detroit Tigers designated RHP Miguel Díaz for assignment.

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