Dodgers Team News

Yusniel Diaz: Top Prospect Homers Twice In MLB Futures Game

Major League Baseball held the Futures Game on Sunday evening, showcasing the top minor league talent baseball has to offer. Within this game, Dodgers top prospect Yusniel Diaz gave everyone a sneak preview of the big things that are coming. Diaz homered twice in the game, becoming just the second player in 20 years to achieve this feat in the futures game. Alfonso Soriano is the other player to have a multi-homer game in the Futures Game.

Diaz earned his invitation to the game in Washington by hitting .314 for AA Tulsa with a .905 OPS. It’s interesting to note that he has just six homers thus far this season. Most impressive about his stat line may be his 41 walks to just 39 strikeouts in 264 plate appearances.



He’s currently rated as the fourth overall prospect in the Dodgers’ farm system by MLB Pipeline. Without digging too much into his history in what should be a post highlighting his feat – the Dodgers spent $31 million dollars for the right to sign him. This coupled with what Diaz is doing at age-21 in the minors should mean he factors heavily into the team’s future big league plans.

Next, let’s take a look at what got Diaz trending on twitter.

It’s time for you to start keeping a closer eye on Yusniel Diaz if you haven’t been already.

While Diaz stole the show, not all was roses in regards to Dodger prospects competing in the Futures. Keibert Ruiz took a foul tip off the hand and had to leave the game early. It was determined that x-rays were negative, so Ruiz avoided serious injury.

You have our permission to scroll back up and enjoy those bombs as many times as you would like. Next, you might want to check back on our January deep-dive on Diaz’s scouting report. As things have played out, the guy is as advertised. The stock we mention in that post is indeed on the rise.

Analysis

I have always loved the MLB Futures Game as a kick-off to All Star Weekend. Many didn’t get to see a lot of the game live because they were watching Clayton Kershaw pitch in the final game of the first half. Diaz is assuredly going to be a prospect that teams are asking for when the Dodgers go to acquire a position player or bullpen help later this month. Nevertheless, this is why I always urge fans and friends alike to proceed with caution when they are so willing to give up whatever pool of prospects a team desires to acquire a current big leaguer. Often, these players who don’t yet have a face or connection in the mind of the fan have a huge future that is quickly approaching on the horizon.

Predictions For The Home Run Derby

Staff Writer

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