Southern notes: Mariners move Diaz to 'pen
Jackson right-hander Edwin Diaz was pulled from his start against Jacksonville after two innings on May 6, seemingly signaling potentially bad news.
Seattle's No. 2 prospect wasn't hurt, though.
The abbreviated outing was part of a significant transition for the talented 22-year-old from Puerto Rico. The next time Diaz pitched for the Generals was out of the bullpen May 10. Relieving, the team believes, is now his best route to Seattle.
It could be a quick one if the 2013 third-round pick can adapt as smoothly as the Mariners hope. The early results were good -- Diaz struck out two in a perfect inning at Birmingham during his first relief appearance, then pitched another scoreless inning against the Barons on May 13 while giving up one hit.
"So far, it's good," Diaz said. "I was surprised, because I always thought I'd be a starting pitcher. But they said it was the best for me, so I'm OK with it. If it is the quickest way to get to the Major Leagues, I'm happy with it. That's what I want."
Diaz allowed two hits and struck out nine over six innings on Opening Day for the Double-A Generals and had a 3.10 ERA in five starts when the bullpen decision was made. First-year Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto had become more convinced that Diaz's highest upside was in the bullpen. Diaz, who pitched in the All-Star Futures Game a year ago, has a fastball that was in the mid-90s as a starter and a good slider.
The righty needed a third pitch to be a Major League starter, though, and he hadn't been able to master an effective changeup. Also, the 6-foot-3 Diaz still has a frail build despite adding more than 25 pounds to the 165 he weighed when he signed with Seattle for a bonus of $300,000 four years ago.
"The guy has a chance to be a pretty good reliever," Dipoto told the Seattle media after Diaz's first bullpen appearance. "Do we have a chance to get that back-end dynamic arm?"
Diaz hit 98 mph in his first relief outing, showing just what the Mariners were coveting.
"As a starter, you have to conserve your velocity and not throw all out," Diaz said. "I was throwing 90-94 mostly [as a starter]. In relief, I can throw harder."
Still, an adjustment period will be needed.
"It only took me 20 pitches in the bullpen the first time, so that was good," Diaz said. "The other pitchers in the bullpen help me with what I need to do to be ready. It is all new for me."
Seattle has a talented starting rotation, but there are some potential openings in the bullpen. Someday, Diaz could be the Mariners' closer.
"As nice as his progression has been as a starter, we felt like his ceiling was probably more back of the rotation because of the third pitch and the general wonder about how he could handle the innings because it's not the largest frame among the pitchers in our system," Dipoto told the Seattle media. "But as a reliever, if he can acclimate himself to the bounce back and show the resiliency to be a bullpen guy, does the stuff tick up?
The Mariners are projecting just that.
In brief
Ellis does it all: The hitting of Mississippi right-hander Chris Ellis has been just as impressive as his pitching. Atlanta's No. 14 prospect not only leads the Southern League with a 6-0 record, but was batting .385 after going 3-for-3 with two doubles in a 4-3 victory at Pensacola on May 15. Ellis, 23, drove in a run and scored another while pitching six innings. Acquired from the Angels in the Andrelton Simmons trade, Ellis has a 2.06 ERA in his first eight starts and has held opposing batters to a .193 average.
Davis goes on DL: Pensacola right-hander Rookie Davis, leading the Southern League with a 0.85 WHIP, went on the disabled list May 12 with a strained right groin. Cincinnati's No. 12 prospect improved to 4-1 the day before when he worked five innings in a victory at Chattanooga. Davis, 23, has a 1.59 ERA with just seven walks over 34 innings in six starts. He was acquired by the Reds from the Yankees in the Aroldis Chapman trade over the winter.
O'Neill stopped: Jackson right fielder Tyler O'Neill had reached base safely in each of his first 28 games before going 0-for-5 at Birmingham on May 11. Seattle's No. 4 prospect also had a 14-game hitting streak stopped in which he was 22-for-58 with four home runs, six doubles and 13 RBIs. The 20-year-old Canadian led the league with seven homers, 42 hits and 73 total bases through May 15 while posting a .316 batting average and driving in 23 runs.
Chargois moves up: J.T. Chargois left Chattanooga for Triple-A Rochester on May 10 still perfect in save conversions for his Minor League career. The right-hander was 7-for-7 for the Lookouts in 11 appearances after going 13-for-13 counting the playoffs last season as Chattanooga won the Southern League title. Minnesota's No. 9 prospect missed two seasons because of an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery but had converted all 29 of his save chances since being a second-round pick by the Twins in the 2012 Draft.
Guy Curtright is a contributor to MiLB.com.
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and