Boston Red Sox Minors: 2019 will be the year of Jhonathan Diaz
The Boston Red Sox have plenty of prospects that the following season could be good too. Just exactly who will make it their year in 2019 though?
Jhonathan Diaz spent all of 2018 making anyone that watched him want to see more. The Boston Red Sox pitching prospect looked vastly improved from the prior year and turned himself into someone to keep an eye on in 2019.
In 2017, Diaz showed flashes of potential in Full-A but overall struggled (4.57 ERA and 1.45 WHIP). Due to that, he didn’t see a promotion to start 2018, beginning the year right back at the same level.
Having that year’s experience at Full-A though, Diaz was locked in. The left-handed pitcher posted a 3.00 ERA in a career-high 153 innings. In that time, he posted a 1.06 WHIP and .223 BAA as well as 147 strikeouts. It’s hard to find anything to complain about from his performance there.
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He did also get one start in Advanced-A, (three runs in 4 1/3 innings). You shouldn’t judge him for one start in the middle of the season though.
The 22-year-old has four solid pitches. While none of them are elite-level, they’re all average-to-above-average. This gives him a fantastic mix of pitches that can get him out of jams. If he doesn’t have the feel for one pitch, it’s not going to end his day.
Due to that, Diaz was lights-out all 2018. So why will 2019 be his season?
The Red Sox have a lot of pitching prospects. Diaz is one of the most well-rounded of the entire lot. He has a solid mix of command, repertoire, strikeout ability and the ability to make weak contact.
With all of that, he’ll be able to continue climbing up the ladder – both in the prospect ranks and in the minors.
Diaz could start the season in Advanced-A. If that’s the case, it will be interesting to see how he does at a (basically) new level. If he starts in Full-A again, expect a promotion in no time.
Diaz has improved in many parts of his game over the four seasons since joining the Boston Red Sox organization. 2019 will give him a chance to do so for the first time with a real spotlight on him.
Next. Red Sox top-30 prospect rankings after the 2018 season. dark
If he can continue to do what he’s done for the last four seasons, 2019 will be the year of Jhonathan Diaz.