Major Leaguer resume Vol.71/WBC Player’s resume Vol.57:Edwin Diaz (New York Mets) :Major Candidate for Team Puerto Rico:“The Deep Impact of 103 MPH!”

Story:
Today's player's resume concerns the New York Mets' closer, Edwin Diaz. He is from Puerto Rico and will represent Team Puerto Rico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.


The KAISPO's baseball analyst said,
"Diaz is one of the greatest closers in MLB, with a total of 205 saves. He throws a firm ball by swinging his right arm vigorously as a reaction to pulling his left arm.

Diaz signed a 5-year contract worth $102 million with the Mets, which was the biggest deal among relievers in MLB history. He picked up 57 saves in 2018 to tie the second most all-time in a single season. Additionally, his strikeout rate in 2022 was 50.2%, which ranks third in big league history. His velocity is still improving to record a 102.8 mph fastball in 2022.

I look forward to what kind of history he will make as a closer in 2023 and beyond."
​

The Seattle Mariners drafted Edwin Diaz with the 98th overall selection in the 3rd round of the 2012 MLB draft.

The righty made his big debut with the Mariners in relief on June 6th, 2016, against the Cleveland Indians. He tossed a perfect seventh inning with a strikeout, recording a 101.2-mph fastball. On September 2nd, Diaz racked up his first career save by striking out the side in the ninth inning to secure Seattle's 5-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox. He finished 0-4 with a 2.79 ERA and 88 strikeouts in all 49 relief appearances with 51.2 IP in his first major league season.

In 2018, the Puerto Rican closer had a great season. He brilliantly recorded 0-4 with a 1.96 ERA with 57 saves to lead the American League(AL), rank second all-time in a single season, and a whopping 124 strikeouts, appearing in his career-most 73 contests covering 73.1 innings. He was named his first All-Star and received the Mariano Rivera Award for the best relief pitcher in the AL.

The New York Mets acquired Diaz and second baseman Robinson Cano plus cash from the Mariners in a big trade in exchange for RF Jay Bruce, RHP Anthony Swarzak, RHP Gerson Bautista, CF Jarred Kelenic, and Justin Dunn.

On April 29th, five Mets pitchers combined to throw the club's second no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies, and Diaz became the first pitcher to shut the door of a no-hitter by striking out all batters he faced. In 2022, the hard-throwing right-hander marked 3-1 with a 1.31 ERA, 32 saves, and 118 strikeouts in 61 games for the Mets. He was named an All-Star for the National League(NL) and was rewarded with the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year.

The two-time All-Star has notched a record of 16-29 with a 2.93 ERA, 205 saves, and 657 strikeouts in all 404 relief appearances in his big league career at the end of the 2022 season.
(MLB No.350 KAISPO No.1530)