The A’s are planning to recall infield prospect Jordan Diaz, as first reported by Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El ExtraBase (Twitter link). The 22-year-old infielder has spent the year on optional assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Díaz debuted in the big leagues late last season. The Colombian-born infielder got into 15 games, hitting .265/.294/.327 through his first 51 plate appearances. He only struck out seven times but walked just twice and has yet to connect on an MLB homer. Díaz had posted excellent numbers between Double-A Midland and Las Vegas prior to his promotion, combining to hit .326/.366/.515 in 120 minor league games.
After 11 more contests in Triple-A, Oakland is bringing Díaz back up the majors. He’ll add a bat-first infielder to a mix that also includes Aledmys Díaz, Jace Peterson, Tony Kemp and Kevin Smith. The #12 prospect in the system according to Baseball America, Díaz will look to hit enough to offset questions about his ideal defensive home.
Díaz isn’t the most notable forthcoming prospect promotion for the A’s. Oakland announced earlier today they were promoting pitching prospect Mason Miller to make his big league debut. General manager David Forst subsequently informed the club’s beat that the A’s were planning to keep Miller in the rotation from here on out (relayed by Martín Gallegos of MLB.com). With the revelation it’s not simply a spot start for the 24-year-old, Oakland will have to either turn to a six-man starting staff or bump someone from the rotation.
None of Oakland’s starters has fared especially well thus far. JP Sears has the lowest ERA in the group at 4.60. Each of Shintaro Fujinami, Ken Waldichuk and James Kaprielian has allowed more than a run per inning. Opening Day starter Kyle Muller sports a 7.23 ERA with a modest 15.1% strikeout rate.
Everyone in the group still has minor league options remaining. That could lead to one of them being demoted to Las Vegas, but it’s also possible the club looks into a bullpen or swing role for a struggling starter. The A’s were dealt a hit to the relief corps this afternoon, as righty Dany Jiménez went on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder strain.
Jiménez operated as the club’s primary closer at points last season. He’s picked up the team’s only save thus far in 2023, though his overall results have been rough. The 29-year-old has walked six with only four strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. He’s allowed four runs and seen sharp dips in his swinging strikes and velocity. It seems clear he has not been operating at full strength. The team hasn’t provided a return timetable, though a shoulder strain prematurely ended his 2022 campaign in late August.
So typical, Jace Peterson, Aledmys Diaz and Tony Kemp, the three guys they actually pay money to and therefore feel like they have to play everyday, are the three worst hitters on the team. Jordan Diaz is about to bash his way into the everyday 2B role, watch.
Also Kaprielian just came out of the pen in this game just now, so yeah, he’s out of the roation (and is pretty bad tbh)
DFA MAY!
If Jordan gets to play
Guys like Peterson and Aledmys Diaz and even Kemp have been mostly role players and that’s where they have succeeded. The A’s would have been better letting Jordan Diaz start at 2B, Nick Allen at SS and let Aledmys Diaz and Peterson platoon at 3B. Kemp can fill in it at 2B and log time in the OF as well. Not sure why they are giving these guys regular AB’s
Every team does this. Those three players combined are making like $14 million this year to literally fill three roster spots, that’s it. They aren’t trying to promote capable players to the majors.
Also, I’d bet money Diaz will never amount to anything. Contact approach with low walks, he also doesn’t play defense well and is assumed to be 1b/DH. He has started to develop some power, but nothing to write home about.
@BeansforJesus then bet money then, you likely can if in a legal state. Who cares if you disagree with my take? I dont!
Didn’t say you had to care, I’m just commenting. I don’t really care if you don’t care.
You seem a bit upset. Maybe take a long bath and have a good cry sesh?
Wow. I mean … Wow! WOW!
Wow-WOW-how-HOW-how-WOW!
Random Question: I know WAR is cumulative and adds up as the season chugs along, but can WAR ever go backwards, like if your performance plummets?? Or once you have earned some WAR, does it never go away??
yes, you can have a negative war as in worse than replacement player
Oh, it certainly goes both directions on the number line.
I heard the Oakland possum is really excited about Mason Miller and Jordan Diaz.
This franchise is an embarrassment. Just over 5,000 fans in attendance to see the Cubs. When is this going to end already?
When the team is competent again.
DFA Kemp, Peterson, Aguilar, Aledmys and May. No need for them to be on this club.
Bronxmac is going to have to be assessed a fine for vesuvially “Wowing” on the fifth post.
First post wows are norm and even a second post wow is acceptable wowing due to the quick time constraint.
No cheers for Bronxamatic with this heinous breech in etiquette.
I see Kevin Smith is carrying over his 2022 offensive performance to ‘23. There are times when he’s at the plate I see his bat dematerializing before my very eyes, and then I ask myself, “Was the bat ever there to begin with?” Then he strikes out or grounds meekly to 2B. Should I question my own sanity or simply accept the fact that it doesn’t even matter if Smith has a bat or not at the plate?
Cruel but splendid take, solie!!
The fact the A’s didn’t hand the keys to Nick Allen because at least you get the gold glove defense with the terrible bat, but instead they went “nah how about worse defense, same terrible bat” the front office definitely isn’t doing the team right by littering it with so many veterans when they already have so many ready-now prospects, horrible GMing. You can tell Beane is gone.