Axel Diaz

AXEL DIAZ
RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: March 14, 1991
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 170
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Signed: Int’l FA, Pittsburgh Pirates, 2011
How Acquired: Int’l Free Agent
Country: Dominican Republic
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES
Diaz signed with the Pirates at a later age than most Latin American prospects.  In 2012 he was throwing in the upper-80s, reaching 91, with a curve and change.  In camp in 2013 he was hitting 92-93.  He throws from a 3/4 arm slot, but he’s not a groundball pitcher, at least not so far.

2011
DSL:  1-0-0, 18.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 1.0 IP, 9.0 BB/9, 9.0 K/9

Diaz pitched very briefly in the DSL.  In case you’re wondering about the ERA, he allowed two baserunners, on a walk and a hit batsman, and they both scored.

2012
R:  1-1-0, 4.81 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 39.1 IP, 4.1 BB/0, 7.3 K/9

Diaz spent 2012 in the rotation in the GCL, which shows that the Pirates think he’s at least potentially a prospect.  He pitched decently, considering his lack of experience.

2013
A-:  4-3-0, 3.60 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 30.0 IP, 5.7 BB/9, 10.8 K/9

Diaz pitched out of the Jamestown bullpen, mainly in two-inning stints.  He struck out a lot of hitters, but also had control problems.  He had a reverse platoon split, with lefties batting .182 against him and righties .194.

The Pirates will probably assign Diaz to the West Virginia bullpen in 2014.
STATS
Baseball Reference–Minors
Fangraphs
MiLB.com
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2013: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2011
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2017
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: 2014
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: N/A
TRANSACTIONS
April 16, 2011: Signed as an international league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.