The Cardinals have designated infielder Aledmys Diaz for assignment, MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch reports on Twitter. A 40-man spot was needed for the promotion of veteran first baseman Dan Johnson.
Per Langosch, St. Louis hopes that Diaz will clear waivers given that he’s still owed a significant amount of salary. The Cardinals signed Diaz as an amateur free agent in March of last year, guaranteeing him four years and $8MM.
After entering the year as the organization’s 11th-rated prospect in the eyes of Baseball America, the 24-year-old Diaz has taken a step back in 2015. Playing at Double-A, he owns a .235/.292/.344 slash over 268 plate appearances on the year. Those numbers are down from a partial showing in the minors last season, when he put up a .765 OPS in 125 turns at bat at the High-A and Double-A levels.
Baseball America noted in its evaluation that Diaz had a more advanced bat than glove, though the Cards have remained hopeful that he could turn into a big league shortstop. The youngster has spent virtually all of his time at short thus far as a professional. Over sixty games there this year, Diaz has committed eleven errors.
the ageless Dan Johnson; Just when they thought he was out…they pull him back in!
Can we just talk about the HR derby for a second. Kris Bryant? Really.. Kris Bryant.. he has 12 HR on the season.
Why not Goldy, Cruz, Arenado, CESPEDES, Brian Dozier, Joey Bats, Trout, JD Martinez.
Kris Bryant is tied for 47th in MLB in home runs.. yet hes in the derby.
The media hype is real. If Maikel Franco played for a contender, he’d be an allstar. If Steve Souza was on the Nationals still, he’d be in the derby.
Because Bryant has more raw power than most of the others you have mentioned.. Once he gets comfortable with major league pitching he will be near the top for home runs for several years.. Bryant has a real chance to win it.. I am pretty sure Souza is on the disabled list anyway.. Besides it is the home run derby.. It is meaningless..
He shouldn’t clear. He has great potential with the bat and $6m over 2.5 years is nothing for even a small market team. His youth and potential are just too promising.
I hope this is a one day thing till Wong is back and not the Cardinals solution at first base.
Impressions of watching him in Springfield: good glove, no power, not good hitter in the clutch. For commanding that much of a contract, should have been a more finished player. Tends to go on disabled list when team goes to Texas……