Future Watch: Yusniel Diaz Rookie Baseball Cards, Orioles – Yusniel Diaz was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an international free agent back in 2015. At the time the talented outfielder was just 18. Little did he know what would lay ahead.
Diaz, while still with the Dodgers, played for the Arizona League Dodgers. He only had 14 at-bats. He got two hits, one was a home run. He then moved on to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. In 316 at-bats there, he had eight homers, 54 RBI, eight doubles, seven triples and a .272 average. So far, so good.
He started out with Rancho, still in A-ball in 2017. After eight homers and 39 RBI in 331 at-bats, he moved on to Double-A. Playing for the Tulsa Drillers he had three homers, 13 RBI, and eight doubles in just 108 at-bats. He hit a solid .333 to end his season.
Diaz started out 2018 with Tulsa. He was hitting a solid .314 with six homers, 30 RBI and eight steals. Then it happened. He was sent to Baltimore in the Manny Machado trade. That’s always a jolt for a young player.
Here’s a look at him swinging for the fences:
According to his MLB.com Draft Profile:
Diaz shows the potential for solid tools across the board with the exception of his power, although he has begun to show more pop after toning down his setup and incorporating his lower half more in his right-handed swing. He makes consistent barreled contact, driving the ball with authority to all fields, with enough bat speed and strength to provide 12-15 per season. Diaz could very well surpass those power projections, especially after he tightened his approach and drastically reduced his chase rate during his return to the Texas League. ETA 2019.
Collectors can get his 2018 Bowman Draft autographed card where he appears in an Orioles uniform.
Diaz finished out the season with the Bowie Baysox in Double-A. He had five homers, 15 RBI, five doubles and four steals in 134 at-bats. He made the adjustment.
Future Watch: Yusniel Diaz Rookie Baseball Cards, Orioles – Stats
Future Watch: Yusniel Diaz Rookie Baseball Cards, Orioles – More Resources
Future Watch: Yusniel Diaz Rookie Baseball Cards, Orioles – Image Gallery
For more from Russ Cohen, follow him on Twitter @sportsology.
Russ Cohen
is the author of several top-selling sports related books.
Baseball’s Best Rookies
Numbers Don’t Lie: Mets: The Biggest Numbers in Mets History
100 Ranger Greats: Superstars, Unsung Heroes and Colorful Characters
100 Things Rangers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die
“Strike Three!” – A Player’s Journey through the Infamous Baseball Strike of 1994
The Winter Classic: The NHL’s Savior
The Philadelphia Flyers: Images of Sports
Pioneers of Baseball
- MLB Future Watch: Zach Neto Baseball Cards, LA Angels - April 19, 2024
- NFL Future Watch: Demario Douglas Football Cards, New England Patriots - April 18, 2024
- NHL Future Watch: Pavel Mintyukov Hockey Cards, Anaheim Ducks - April 16, 2024