CHRISTOPHER DIAZ
SHORTSTOP
Born: November 9, 1990
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 180
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 11th Round, 346th Overall, 2012
How Acquired: Draft
College: North Carolina State
Agent: Sosnick Cobbe Sports

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES
Diaz had a strong junior season, which got him ranked by Baseball America as the 430th best prospect in the draft.  His build is stocky and he doesn’t have a lot of speed, so he may not stick at short, but BA describes him as a solid defensive player.  If he can sustain his improved hitting, he could move up as a secondbaseman or utility player.  He signed quickly and should be a regular in the middle infield for State College.

2012
A-:  222/287/280, 239 AB, 7 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 19 BB, 58 K, 9-15 SB

Diaz was the regular at short for State College after he signed.  He mostly struggled at the plate, although he did improve over time.  His OPS was .406 in July, .642 in August and .876 in five September games.

Diaz opened 2013 in extended spring training, which obviously wasn’t a step forward.  One possibility is that the Pirates didn’t want to use him as a utility player, with Max Moroff and Dilson Herrera starting in the Power’s middle infield.  Anyway, he could move up later.
STATS
Baseball Reference–Minors
Fangraphs
MiLB.com
NCAA
BA
OBP
SLG
AB
2B
3B
HR
BB
K
SB
CS
2010 .309 .420 .382 68 2 0 1 9 16 1 0
2011 .306 .381 .407 216 12 2 2 23 43 6 3
2012 .356 .394 .482 253 25 2 1 18 35 8 3
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2013: Minor league contract.
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $100,000
MiLB Debut: 2012
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2018
MLB FA Eligible:
Rule 5 Eligible: 2015
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 5, 2012: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 11th round, 346th overall pick; signed on June 18.