What impact will Matt Diaz have?

[grizzly451]

I think Diaz will end up doing better then people expect, maybe even playing a bigger role then a player from the bench. From what I've heard since the Braves gave the guy as vision test and discovered that he had an undiagnosed vision problem (which I think was a depth problem), he is hitting the ball much better.

This is the guy's line from spring training:

G-19 AB-55 R-7 H-21 2B-2 3B-0 HR-3 RBI-11 TB-32 W-1 SO-5 SB-1 CS-0 OBP-.386 SLG-.582 AVG-.382

Also, Diaz has 9 more at bats this spring then any other player on the Braves roster, as of Monday's stats, so that makes me wonder if Bobby has been testing him a bit to see if he could play a bigger role.

I know spring training stats is still just practice , but a good spring couldn't hurt

[jwkfs]

I've been really impressed with the offense he's been putting up this spring, but from what I've heard his defense is shaky -- I think he could be a dangerous pinch hitter, but our outfield jobs are pretty much locked up.

[grizzly451]

Shaky defense is basically what corner outfield spots are for these days as far as the major leagues go (Bonds, Manny). Remember Klesko? Him in the outfield was some good entertainment, I loved his all or nothing dives (bellyflops?) he would do out there.

But seriously, centerfield is definitely locked up, and I'd say Francoeur has his spot secured short of a major meltdown. But I wouldn't go so far as to say Diaz couldn't get a good amount of ABs out in left, Langerhans is suppose to be the starter there, but I honestly could see Kelly Johnson or Diaz getting it from him.

I'd consider left open, or at least not wrapped up, considering all the players the Braves have listed for it. Langerhans, Diaz, Jordan, and Johnson. Leftfield-by-committee this season maybe?

[jwkfs]

Looks to me like Diaz should be getting some playing time in right (or move Langerhans to right and let Diaz start in left...) with Francoeur struggling like he is.

Off topic, is it pronounced Die-az or Dee-az ? The announcers keep calling him Die-az, but it looks like Dee-az to me

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

I say Dee-Az. (I'm old fashioned like that ) I'd leave Frenchy alone he'll work out of his funk in a bit. And Langer is doing superbly in LF.

Diaz will get some playing time. I can say one thing for him...he can hit.

[grizzly451]

... I'd say Francoeur has his spot secured short of a major meltdown.

I said that before the season started, but honestly I was concerned that Francoeur would have problems finding his groove this season. Mainly because of how much he cooled off at the end of last season and because of how swings.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

2 Homers Tonight for Francoeur.
So maybe he is heating up.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

I wish Diaz would have gotten that bunt down. We may have tied the game.

[grizzly451]

2 Homers Tonight for Francoeur.
So maybe he is heating up.

I sure hope so, but of course the Braves have been scoring plenty of runs so far. The starting pitchers really need to heat up more then anything. :o

Francoeur really did have a good game, it was great seeing him swinging well.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

His swing was really more easy. It flowed a lot better.

Now let's get the starters flowing.

[switch_hitter]

It's a long 'i' sound in Diaz.

Yeah, the Braves have a lot of outfielders, just like they did during the latter half of last year (where Johnson basically ended up as the fourth guy). With Johnson hurt, I believe that Francouer and Langerhans have the corner spots locked up. Maybe one can stay as a platooner, but both Johnson and Diaz are both starting their careers, and they could be valuable trade bait. Sucks that the Braves have such a great farm system, huh?

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

Diaz is a good OF, but he didn't come up in the Braves farm system he was acquired by the Braves from Kansas City last winter. I hope they give him a chance to play more regularly, but I think Langerhans and Francouer will play the COF for a while.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Speaking of Francoeur give him another homer. That's 3.

As for Diaz. I would like to see more of him also.

[jwkfs]

Just for the record, the announcers tonight solved the mystery on the pronunciation. -- Diaz's family wanted to americanize their name when they came over from Barcelona, so the name is pronounced, as switch_hitter says, with the long 'i' sound.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Just for the record, the announcers tonight solved the mystery on the pronunciation. -- Diaz's family wanted to americanize their name when they came over from Barcelona, so the name is pronounced, as switch_hitter says, with the long 'i' sound.

Interesting story. But I dislike pronouncing it that way for some reason. Maybe because of the extra effort to remember.