New York Mets farm-roots series: Syracuse AAA right-hander Yennsy Diaz

The New York Mets employ solid young talent, which builds up the farm system.  Let’s take a closer look at Met’s right-hander, Yennsy Diaz.

The Mets have an underrated arm employed and placed in AAA Syracuse, Yennsy Diaz.  In January 2021, the Toronto Blue Jays sent over Yennsy Diaz along with Sean Reid-Foley and Josh Winckowski in exchange for Steven Matz.  With his new role and a fresh start in New York, Diaz hopes to move through the year towards a bullpen role in Queens.

Diaz was signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic by the Blue Jays and worked his talent through the beginner ranks of the system.  In 2018, he worked in AA with the Lansing Lugnuts, showing out with impressive numbers.  He tossed 147.1 innings with a 3.05 ERA, .667 Win-Loss percentage going 10-5, striking out 125 sticks, only walking 53.

In 2019, Diaz earned his protection on the 40-man roster, getting a call to the show for one game.  His numbers in a combined 7-minor league season show out for a career 436 strikeouts and only 209 earned runs over 487.1 career innings. Diaz is currently ranked on the Mets top 30 prospect list, slated at number 27.   What does he bring to the organization?

Scouting Report & Evaluation, New York Mets RHP Yennsy Diaz

Grade Scale:

Fastball: 60

Changeup: 55

Curveball: 50

Control: 50

Player Strength

Diaz is a go-getter.  He works to stay on top of counts; attempts to go up early.  His command is improving and has great confidence in the 3 options he possesses in his repertoire.  This will help the Mets, especially within the division they compete in.

Synopsis

Diaz, 6’1”, 210lbs stands strong, delivering from the right side at a 3/4th release.  Diaz displays a consistent delivery with good repeated mechanics.  He works quickly and effectively through counts and likes to attack the zone out of the gate.  He has a quick delivery from the set, slowing down the running game behind him.

The Mets prospect can work the corners well while working low and away on most hitters.  His fastball sits mid-90s, maxing around 95mph.  Due to suffering a lat injury in 2020, his fastball is back to his on-ramp development stage.  The curveball is arguably his best out-pitch, with good sweeping movement and ability to start and end counts with.

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His changeup is equally a dependable weapon.  It moves with sink action, similar to a split-changeup, which works low in the zone and parks at the knees for strikes. Diaz is a workhorse; he battles counts, attacks the zone, and shows confidence in all of his tools.  His repertoire and style of pitch are comparable to RHP Fernando Rodney.