MLB Future Watch: Yainer Diaz Baseball Cards, Houston Astros – Yainer Diaz was signed as an international free agent in 2016 while in the Cleveland Indians organization. He was a power-hitting catcher that was going to find his way into the big leagues.
In 2017, he hit 8 doubles, 1 home run, and 21 RBI in 42 games.
He played in the Arizona Rookie League in 2018. Diaz hit 9 doubles, 4 triples, and 2 home runs with 28 RBI and a .355 batting average. A great season.
In 2019, he started in Rookie League and ended up with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in A-Ball. His combined numbers were 12 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs, and 40 RBI with a .341 batting average.
Diaz didn’t play during the pandemic.
In 2021, he played three games and ended up in A-Ball with the Asheville Tourists a Houston Astros affiliate. He was a throw-in in a trade, and it would soon turn into a massive deal for the Astros. Diaz hit 25 doubles, 1 triple, 17 home runs with 90 RBI and a .324 batting average. Diaz mostly played as a catcher but was seeing time at first base too.
In 2022, Diaz started in AA and ended up in AAA with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. Diaz hit 22 doubles, 4 triples, 25 home runs, and 96 RBI with a .306 batting average. He got to play in the 2022 MLB Futures Game and was an MiLB Organizational All-Star.
In 2023, he started the season with the Astros but didn’t hit his first home run until May 14. At season’s end, he had 100 hits, 22 doubles, 23 home runs, 60 RBI, and a .282 batting average. And he threw out 30% of base runners putting him into long shot consideration for the Rookie of the Year Award.
MLB Future Watch: Yainer Diaz Cards Worth Chasing
One card to get is Diaz’s 2023 Topps Chrome Autograph. It’s a great signature. And it’s a nice action photo.
Another great card is his 2023 Topps Series 4 Autographed Rookie. It’s a 1988 style card, and it shows him looking at a home run and has a great signature.
His 2023 Topps Stars Autographed Rookie Card is solid. It shows him in his batting stance, and it’s a solid signature. This will be a sought-after card of a potential star who burst on the scene this year. At 25, he’s peaking and should have a long career worthy of being added to your collection.
MLB Future Watch: Yainer Diaz Baseball Cards, Houston Astros – Stats
Statistical image generated on Sports Reference as of 10/04/2023.
MLB Future Watch: Yainer Diaz Baseball Cards, Houston Astros – More Resources
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Russ Cohen
is the author of several top-selling sports related books.
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