| AB | 478 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .297 |
| OBP | .322 |
| SLG | .454 |
| HR | 16 |
- Full name Yainer Radhames Diaz
- Born 09/21/1998 in Azua, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- Debut 09/02/2022
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
-
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
Track Record: Originally signed by the Guardians out of the Dominican Republic for $25,000, Diaz hit .331/.358/.470 over his first three pro seasons, all in short-season leagues. He continued hitting with Low-A Lynchburg in 2021 in his full-season debut and caught the attention of the Astros, who acquired him and Phil Maton at the 2021 trade deadline for Myles Straw. Diaz split the 2022 season between Double-A and Triple-A, hitting .306/.356/.542 with 25 home runs in 105 games. Houston called up Diaz in early September and he appeared in six games.
Scouting Report: A strong combination of bat-to-ball skills and power drives Diaz's aggressive plate profile. Stockily built, with a strong, barrel-chested frame, Diaz shows the ability to drive stinging liners and hard-struck fly balls to all fields. His simple swing is heavily hands-driven, but his strong wrists and loose adjustability within his hands allow him to attack a variety of pitch shapes. He's a free-swinger who will get himself into trouble on the outer parts of the plate, particularly against lefthanders. Diaz's power plays to all fields, and he slugged nine of his 25 home runs in 2022 to right field. His average exit velocity of 92.3 mph in the minors is well above the major league average. He is most likely to hit for a higher average with home run totals in the mid 20s but lower on-base percentages because of his aggressive nature. Defensively, Diaz is a good thrower and average framer, but his blocking skills are fringy. He has faced questions around his game-calling, leading to a heavy dose of starts at first base.
The Future: One of the best hitting catchers in the minor leagues, Diaz will likely slide into a part-time catching role, seeing time at first base and DH to keep his powerful bat in the lineup.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60 -
Track Record: Cleveland signed Diaz for $25,000 during the 2016 international signing period. Five years later, the Astros acquired him and Phil Maton in exchange for Myles Straw at the trade deadline. Diaz played just 12 games at Low-A Fayetteville before earning a promotion to High-A Asheville. He hit .396/.438/.781 in 105 plate appearances there to finish his season batting .324.
Scouting Report: Diaz is an above-average hitter and a well-sequenced swing that easily produces contact. His hit-over-power profile does not fit a typical catcher, but the Astros are intrigued by the possibility. His exit velocities are near major league average and he hits hard line drives to all fields, but needs to tap into more power within his thick frame. His pitch selection needs to improve, and that may help in unlocking some power. Diaz has an above-average arm, but needs to refine his receiving and defense if he will stick behind the plate. He plays first base, too.
The Future: Diaz has hit at every level and passed every test. Facing more advanced pitching at Double-A in 2022 could dictate his immediate trajectory.
Top 100 Rankings
Scouting Reports
-
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
Track Record: Originally signed by the Guardians out of the Dominican Republic for $25,000, Diaz hit .331/.358/.470 over his first three pro seasons, all in short-season leagues. He continued hitting with Low-A Lynchburg in 2021 in his full-season debut and caught the attention of the Astros, who acquired him and Phil Maton at the 2021 trade deadline for Myles Straw. Diaz split the 2022 season between Double-A and Triple-A, hitting .306/.356/.542 with 25 home runs in 105 games. Houston called up Diaz in early September and he appeared in six games.
Scouting Report: A strong combination of bat-to-ball skills and power drives Diaz's aggressive plate profile. Stockily built, with a strong, barrel-chested frame, Diaz shows the ability to drive stinging liners and hard-struck fly balls to all fields. His simple swing is heavily hands-driven, but his strong wrists and loose adjustability within his hands allow him to attack a variety of pitch shapes. He's a free-swinger who will get himself into trouble on the outer parts of the plate, particularly against lefthanders. Diaz's power plays to all fields, and he slugged nine of his 25 home runs in 2022 to right field. His average exit velocity of 92.3 mph in the minors is well above the major league average. He is most likely to hit for a higher average with home run totals in the mid 20s but lower on-base percentages because of his aggressive nature. Defensively, Diaz is a good thrower and average framer, but his blocking skills are fringy. He has faced questions around his game-calling, leading to a heavy dose of starts at first base.
The Future: One of the best hitting catchers in the minor leagues, Diaz will likely slide into a part-time catching role, seeing time at first base and DH to keep his powerful bat in the lineup.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60 -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
Track Record: Originally signed by the Guardians out of the Dominican Republic for $25,000, Diaz hit .331/.358/.470 over his first three pro seasons, all in short-season leagues. He continued hitting with Low-A Lynchburg in 2021 in his full-season debut and caught the attention of the Astros, who acquired him and Phil Maton at the 2021 trade deadline for Myles Straw. Diaz split the 2022 season between Double-A and Triple-A, hitting .306/.356/.542 with 25 home runs in 105 games. Houston called up Diaz in early September and he appeared in six games.
Scouting Report: A strong combination of bat-to-ball skills and power drives Diaz's aggressive plate profile. Stockily built, with a strong, barrel-chested frame, Diaz shows the ability to drive stinging liners and hard-struck fly balls to all fields. His simple swing is heavily hands-driven, but his strong wrists and loose adjustability within his hands allow him to attack a variety of pitch shapes. He's a free-swinger who will get himself into trouble on the outer parts of the plate, particularly against lefthanders. Diaz's power plays to all fields, and he slugged nine of his 25 home runs in 2022 to right field. His average exit velocity of 92.3 mph in the minors is well above the major league average. He is most likely to hit for a higher average with home run totals in the mid 20s but lower on-base percentages because of his aggressive nature. Defensively, Diaz is a good thrower and average framer, but his blocking skills are fringy. He has faced questions around his game-calling, leading to a heavy dose of starts at first base.
The Future: One of the best hitting catchers in the minor leagues, Diaz will likely slide into a part-time catching role, seeing time at first base and DH to keep his powerful bat in the lineup.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60 -
BA Grade: 50/Medium
May Update: In a system lacking well-rounded positional prospects Diaz offers balance in a solid defensive profile with offensive skills. His combination of average contact skills and plus raw power gives him some offensive upside to pair with his defense. It's a backup catcher profile, but Diaz could end up having a long major league career.
Track Record: Cleveland signed Diaz for $25,000 during the 2016 international signing period. Five years later, the Astros acquired him and Phil Maton in exchange for Myles Straw at the trade deadline. Diaz played just 12 games at Low-A Fayetteville before earning a promotion to High-A Asheville. He hit .396/.438/.781 in 105 plate appearances there to finish his season batting .324.
Scouting Report: Diaz is an above-average hitter and a well-sequenced swing that easily produces contact. His hit-over-power profile does not fit a typical catcher, but the Astros are intrigued by the possibility. His exit velocities are near major league average and he hits hard line drives to all fields, but needs to tap into more power within his thick frame. His pitch selection needs to improve, and that may help in unlocking some power. Diaz has an above-average arm, but needs to refine his receiving and defense if he will stick behind the plate. He plays first base, too.
The Future: Diaz has hit at every level and passed every test. Facing more advanced pitching at Double-A in 2022 could dictate his immediate trajectory.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Run: 30. Fielding: 45. Arm: 55. -
Track Record: Cleveland signed Diaz for $25,000 during the 2016 international signing period. Five years later, the Astros acquired him and Phil Maton in exchange for Myles Straw at the trade deadline. Diaz played just 12 games at Low-A Fayetteville before earning a promotion to High-A Asheville. He hit .396/.438/.781 in 105 plate appearances there to finish his season batting .324.
Scouting Report: Diaz is an above-average hitter and a well-sequenced swing that easily produces contact. His hit-over-power profile does not fit a typical catcher, but the Astros are intrigued by the possibility. His exit velocities are near major league average and he hits hard line drives to all fields, but needs to tap into more power within his thick frame. His pitch selection needs to improve, and that may help in unlocking some power. Diaz has an above-average arm, but needs to refine his receiving and defense if he will stick behind the plate. He plays first base, too.
The Future: Diaz has hit at every level and passed every test. Facing more advanced pitching at Double-A in 2022 could dictate his immediate trajectory.
Career Transactions
-
C Yainer Diaz, and changed number to 21.
