Edwin Díaz

Edwin Díaz: biography

Edwin Diaz is a professional baseball player who currently serves as a relief pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). Earlier he worked for the Seattle Mariners.

Childhood and youth

Edwin Diaz was born on March 22, 1994, in Naguabo, Puerto Rico, to a family of baseball enthusiasts. His father was a baseball coach, and Diaz grew up playing the sport from a young age. He started pitching when he was just 10 years old, and his talent was evident from the start.

Diaz attended high school at Maestro Ladi High School in Naguabo, where he continued to play baseball and hone his skills. He was a standout player on the school's team, and he quickly caught the attention of scouts from Major League Baseball (MLB).

In 2012, Diaz was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the third round of the MLB draft. He decided to forgo college and pursue a career in professional baseball instead. Diaz worked his way up through the Mariners' minor league system, impressing coaches and scouts with his powerful fastball and impressive command of the strike zone.

By 2016, Diaz was ready for his major league debut, and he made his first appearance for the Mariners on June 6th of that year. He quickly established himself as one of the best young relief pitchers in the league, recording saves and strikeouts at an impressive rate.

Diaz's success on the field is a testament to his hard work and dedication, both as a child and as a professional athlete. He continues to be a role model for young baseball players, particularly those from his home country of Puerto Rico.

Baseball career

Edwin Diaz's baseball career began when he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the third round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. Diaz was just 18 years old at the time, and he had already established himself as a top prospect in Puerto Rico.

Diaz began his professional career in the Mariners' minor league system, where he quickly made a name for himself as a dominant relief pitcher. He showcased his impressive fastball and slider, which helped him strike out batters at an incredible rate.

Diaz's success in the minors earned him a call-up to the major leagues in 2016, where he made his debut on June 6th. He quickly established himself as the Mariners' closer, recording his first save just four days later. Diaz finished the season with 18 saves, a 2.79 ERA, and an incredible 88 strikeouts in just 51.2 innings pitched.

In 2017, Diaz continued to excel, recording 34 saves and striking out 89 batters in 66.2 innings pitched. He was named the Mariners' Pitcher of the Year for his efforts.

However, Diaz's breakout season came in 2018, when he established himself as one of the best relief pitchers in baseball. He recorded a league-leading 57 saves, which tied the single-season record for a Puerto Rican pitcher. Diaz also struck out 124 batters in just 73.1 innings pitched, setting a new Mariners franchise record.

Diaz's dominant performance in 2018 earned him a spot on the American League All-Star team, and he finished the season with a 1.96 ERA and a staggering 15.2 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. He was also named the AL Reliever of the Year and the MLB Delivery Man of the Year.

Following the 2018 season, Diaz was traded to the New York Mets as part of a blockbuster deal that also included Robinson Cano. Diaz struggled in his first season with the Mets, recording just 26 saves and a 5.59 ERA in 2019. However, he rebounded in 2020, recording six saves and a 1.75 ERA in 26 appearances.

Diaz's success as a relief pitcher can be attributed to his impressive fastball, which regularly reaches speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. He also has an excellent slider and changeup, which help him keep hitters off-balance. Diaz is known for his ability to strike out batters in key situations, and he has been praised for his composure and mental toughness on the mound.

Despite his relatively short career, Diaz has already established himself as one of the best relief pitchers in baseball. He has earned two All-Star selections, two MLB Delivery Man of the Year awards, and a reputation as a dominant closer. Diaz's future in baseball looks bright, and fans can expect to see many more impressive performances from him in the years to come.

Personal life

Edwin Diaz is married to Nashaly Mercado and they have two children together.

Diaz is also known for his philanthropic work, particularly in his home country. He has donated money to help rebuild baseball fields in Puerto Rico, which were damaged by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Diaz has also worked with the Boys and Girls Club in Puerto Rico to help provide opportunities for young people to play baseball and pursue their dreams.

Off the field, Diaz enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He is also an avid gamer and enjoys playing video games in his free time. Diaz has spoken publicly about his love for games like Fortnite and Call of Duty, and he has even participated in gaming tournaments with other professional athletes.

Awards and achievements

• Seattle Mariners Pitcher of the Year (2017)
• Tied the record for most saves in a season by a Puerto Rican pitcher (2018)
• Recorded the highest strikeout rate (15.2 strikeouts per nine innings pitched) among all pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched in a single season in MLB history (2018)
• Set a new Seattle Mariners franchise record for strikeouts by a relief pitcher in a single season (2018)
• 2x MLB Delivery Man of the Year (2018, 2019)
• American League Reliever of the Year (2018)
• American League All-Star (2018, 2019)
• Tied the record for most saves in a single season by a Mets pitcher (2020)