Joel Diaz
| IP | 105 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.343 |
| WHIP | 1.19 |
| BB/9 | 2.914 |
| SO/9 | 9.771 |
- Full name Joel Grafanino Díaz
- Born 02/26/2004 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 208 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
Track Record: Diaz's velocity jumped in the period leading up to the opening of the international signing period in January 2021. He signed with the Mets and quickly asserted his prospect status in the Dominican Summer League by allowing three earned runs in 50.1 innings while striking out 63. Diaz recorded an 0.54 ERA that was the lowest for a qualified 17-year-old DSL pitcher since at least 2006. The Mets assigned Diaz to Low-A St.Lucie in late May 2022 and he took his lumps in the Florida State League as the only 18-year-old starting pitcher to toss 50 innings.
Scouting Report: Diaz is an athletic 6-foot-2 righthander who pitches at 93 mph and tops out at 97. He throws strikes at a high rate with his fastball and generates a good rate of swing-and-miss due to a low vertical approach angle and riding life. His secondary pitches proved to be less advanced in a full-season setting. Low-A hitters were less tempted to swing at Diaz's 75-77 mph curveball, though he added power to the pitch as the season progressed. It is his favorite pitch and could become average or better. His changeup is a third pitch that requires better command and more conviction to reach average. The automated ball-strike system in the FSL did Diaz no favors in terms of getting borderline calls.
The Future: Diaz finished on a strong note in the FSL, recording a 3.33 ERA and allowing a .212 opponent average in his final six starts, and still has upside he can reach as his secondary pitches develop. He has starter upside but a long way to go to reach it.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 50. -
Track Record: The Mets emphasized volume during the 2020-21 international signing period, preferring to spread their bonus pool money around rather than focusing large sums on few players. They might have unearthed a gem in Diaz, a 6-foot-2 Dominican righthander whose fastball velocity jumped in the period leading up to his signing in January 2021. He made a loud pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, allowing three earned runs in 50.1 innings and not allowing any in his first 10 starts. Diaz’s 0.54 ERA was the fourth lowest by a qualified pitcher in the DSL since at least 2006 and the lowest by a 17-year-old in that time.
Scouting Report: Diaz is a strike thrower with three pitches, good velocity and the projectable, athletic frame to add even more. His fastball ranges from 92-96 mph after sitting more in the high 80s when other teams were scouting him as an amateur. Diaz was reaching his peak velocity more often later in the season. Life on the pitch was evident from the 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings, .163 opponent average and zero home runs he allowed in 15 starts. Diaz is a strong, fluid pitcher who has uncommon feel for his secondary pitches for such a young pitcher. His changeup with late fade played as above-average to plus in his debut, and he threw it 20% of the time. He tended to introduce his high-70s curveball the second time through the order, but if he struggled to control it or get chases he would ditch it in favor of his change.
The Future: Diaz’s starts were appointment viewing for Mets player development staff, who would make a point to tune in to the internal livestream of DSL games to watch him pitch. They should be able to watch him in person in 2022, when an assignment to Low-A St. Lucie is possible. With so much distance to cover, Diaz is a boom or bust pitching prospect with a wide range of possible outcomes.
Scouting Reports
-
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
Track Record: Diaz's velocity jumped in the period leading up to the opening of the international signing period in January 2021. He signed with the Mets and quickly asserted his prospect status in the Dominican Summer League by allowing three earned runs in 50.1 innings while striking out 63. Diaz recorded an 0.54 ERA that was the lowest for a qualified 17-year-old DSL pitcher since at least 2006. The Mets assigned Diaz to Low-A St.Lucie in late May 2022 and he took his lumps in the Florida State League as the only 18-year-old starting pitcher to toss 50 innings.
Scouting Report: Diaz is an athletic 6-foot-2 righthander who pitches at 93 mph and tops out at 97. He throws strikes at a high rate with his fastball and generates a good rate of swing-and-miss due to a low vertical approach angle and riding life. His secondary pitches proved to be less advanced in a full-season setting. Low-A hitters were less tempted to swing at Diaz's 75-77 mph curveball, though he added power to the pitch as the season progressed. It is his favorite pitch and could become average or better. His changeup is a third pitch that requires better command and more conviction to reach average. The automated ball-strike system in the FSL did Diaz no favors in terms of getting borderline calls.
The Future: Diaz finished on a strong note in the FSL, recording a 3.33 ERA and allowing a .212 opponent average in his final six starts, and still has upside he can reach as his secondary pitches develop. He has starter upside but a long way to go to reach it.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
Track Record: Diaz's velocity jumped in the period leading up to the opening of the international signing period in January 2021. He signed with the Mets and quickly asserted his prospect status in the Dominican Summer League by allowing three earned runs in 50.1 innings while striking out 63. Diaz recorded an 0.54 ERA that was the lowest for a qualified 17-year-old DSL pitcher since at least 2006. The Mets assigned Diaz to Low-A St.Lucie in late May 2022 and he took his lumps in the Florida State League as the only 18-year-old starting pitcher to toss 50 innings.
Scouting Report: Diaz is an athletic 6-foot-2 righthander who pitches at 93 mph and tops out at 97. He throws strikes at a high rate with his fastball and generates a good rate of swing-and-miss due to a low vertical approach angle and riding life. His secondary pitches proved to be less advanced in a full-season setting. Low-A hitters were less tempted to swing at Diaz's 75-77 mph curveball, though he added power to the pitch as the season progressed. It is his favorite pitch and could become average or better. His changeup is a third pitch that requires better command and more conviction to reach average. The automated ball-strike system in the FSL did Diaz no favors in terms of getting borderline calls.
The Future: Diaz finished on a strong note in the FSL, recording a 3.33 ERA and allowing a .212 opponent average in his final six starts, and still has upside he can reach as his secondary pitches develop. He has starter upside but a long way to go to reach it.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 50. -
BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Track Record: The Mets emphasized volume during the 2020-21 international signing period, preferring to spread their bonus pool money around rather than focusing large sums on few players. They might have unearthed a gem in Diaz, a 6-foot-2 Dominican righthander whose fastball velocity jumped in the period leading up to his signing in January 2021. He made a loud pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, allowing three earned runs in 50.1 innings. Diaz's 0.54 ERA was the fourth lowest by a qualified pitcher in the DSL since at least 2006 and the lowest by a 17-year-old in that time.
Scouting Report: Diaz is a strike thrower with three pitches, good velocity and the projectable, athletic frame to add even more. His fastball ranges from 92-96 mph after sitting more in the high 80s when other teams were scouting him as an amateur. Diaz was reaching his peak velocity more often later in the season. Life on the pitch was evident from the 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings, .163 opponent average and zero home runs he allowed in 15 starts. Diaz is a strong, fluid pitcher who has uncommon feel for his secondary pitches for such a young pitcher. His changeup with late fade played as above-average to plus in his debut, and he threw it 20% of the time. He tended to introduce his high-70s curveball the second time through the order, but if he struggled to control it or get chases he would ditch it in favor of his change.
The Future: Diaz's starts were appointment viewing for Mets player development staff, who would make a point to tune in to the internal livestream of DSL games to watch him pitch. They should be able to watch him in person in 2022, when an assignment to Low-A St. Lucie is possible. With so much distance to cover, Diaz is a boom or bust pitching prospect with a wide range of possible outcomes.
Scouting Grades:
Fastball: 60. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50. -
Track Record: The Mets emphasized volume during the 2020-21 international signing period, preferring to spread their bonus pool money around rather than focusing large sums on few players. They might have unearthed a gem in Diaz, a 6-foot-2 Dominican righthander whose fastball velocity jumped in the period leading up to his signing in January 2021. He made a loud pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, allowing three earned runs in 50.1 innings and not allowing any in his first 10 starts. Diaz’s 0.54 ERA was the fourth lowest by a qualified pitcher in the DSL since at least 2006 and the lowest by a 17-year-old in that time.
Scouting Report: Diaz is a strike thrower with three pitches, good velocity and the projectable, athletic frame to add even more. His fastball ranges from 92-96 mph after sitting more in the high 80s when other teams were scouting him as an amateur. Diaz was reaching his peak velocity more often later in the season. Life on the pitch was evident from the 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings, .163 opponent average and zero home runs he allowed in 15 starts. Diaz is a strong, fluid pitcher who has uncommon feel for his secondary pitches for such a young pitcher. His changeup with late fade played as above-average to plus in his debut, and he threw it 20% of the time. He tended to introduce his high-70s curveball the second time through the order, but if he struggled to control it or get chases he would ditch it in favor of his change.
The Future: Diaz’s starts were appointment viewing for Mets player development staff, who would make a point to tune in to the internal livestream of DSL games to watch him pitch. They should be able to watch him in person in 2022, when an assignment to Low-A St. Lucie is possible. With so much distance to cover, Diaz is a boom or bust pitching prospect with a wide range of possible outcomes.
Career Transactions
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St. Lucie Mets placed RHP Joel Díaz on the 7-day injured list.
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RHP Joel Díaz roster status changed by St. Lucie Mets.
