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DEREK DIAMOND, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
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| Born: January 4, 2001 Height: 6’2″ Weight: 200 Bats: Right Throws: Right Drafted: 6th Round, 170th Overall, 2022 How Acquired: Draft College: University of Mississippi Agent: |
WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE |
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| The Pirates are gambling that Diamond will revert to the pitcher he was in 2021. He was ranked 210th by Baseball America and was unranked by MLB.com. As a sophomore he threw 92-97 mph with an above-average slider. As a junior his velocity was down to the low-90s or lower and the slider was less effective. His ERA shot up from 5.26 to 6.89, and his K/9 dropped from 9.80 to 7.85. He didn’t pitch at all in the College World Series in Omaha in 2022. Diamond’s control and athleticism are good, but he’s obviously a project. Early in his time with the Pirates, Diamond was averaging a little of 92 mph with his fastball and throwing the slider and an occasional change. He signed for exactly the slot amount.
2022 Diamond got into three games in the FCL. It’ll be interesting to see whether the Pirates try to develop Diamond as a starter.
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