CDN MILB Check In...
Some Indigo Diaz viewing this time around
INDIGO DIAZ
RHP, Hudson Valley Renegades (NY Yankees High-A)
6ft 5in, 250 lbs, 24 years old (dob 14/14/1998), North Vancouver BC
2019 MLB Draft, 27th Round, 817th Overall Selection by Atlanta from Michigan State University
acquired by the Yankees via trade Dec. 28/2022 - NYY traded LHP Lucas Luetge to Atlanta Braves for SS Caleb Durbin and RHP Indigo Diaz
***Currently on the 7-day injured list from July 12***
***May 30 - assigned to Hudson Valley (High-A) from Somerset (Double-A)***
Outings viewed:
July 2 v Wilmington (Nationals), entered Top 5, 2 out, 2 runners on, faced a total of 9 batters
July 6 v Jersey Shore (Phillies), entered Top 9, save opportunity, faced a total of 5 batters
Notes & Observations
A big frame that looks filled out with little physical projection remaining
Operates from the stretch with a higher leg kick & high arm slot
FB sits in the low to mid-90s (92-95) and touches 96, the pitch runs rather straight with average shape showing some life up in the zone
CB showed mostly downward break that gets some swing & miss while sitting in the low 80s, the pitch also showed a bit of slurve action
Out of 14 TBF, got ahead 0-1 against 8 batters
Stat lines:
July 2: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 K, BB, HR
July 6: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 K, HR, S
YTD Stats (as of this writing 07/19):
G-GS: 23-0, 31.2 IP, 1-1, 4.26 ERA, 3 SV, 1.64 WHIP, 12.22 K/9, 5.97 BB/9
We’ll start with the 2 red flags mentioned at the beginning - on the IL and a demotion from Double to High-A.
On the injury front, this is his first appearance on the IL and with it being 7 days only I’m doubting there are many long-term injury concerns here. The demotion is tougher to look past. He played all of 2022 with the Mississippi Braves in Double-A then after the trade was assigned to start 2023 with Double-A Somerset. One of the culprits is Indigo’s walk rate last season and the beginning of this season with the Patriots. The 2022 BB% was 14.9 and this season was 18.2% before being demoted. Those numbers are firmly in the Yikes! territory and until those get to reasonable places things may be tough on Diaz. However, since moving to Hudson Valley with limited innings so far, the rate has improved greatly and is down just under 9% per FanGraphs.
The other thing that may cause an eyebrow raise is the HR/FB. Again with limited innings with HV, it is showing at an astounding 30.8%. The 2 HRs he gave up during the outings viewed were absolute monstrosities. A fastball that runs pretty straight can’t miss spots or they’ll be leaving the yard with the quickness.
If Indigo can bring the HR/FB down while maintaining the improvements to his walk rate he can provide some help in the bullpen as a MIRP and can get you a save on occasion as well.
Thank you for stopping by and checking in today. I’ll be back chatting with you in a while. Until then, you know what to do…KEEP IT 80 GRADE.