Edwin Diaz, Relief Pitcher/Closer, New York Mets
Date of Birth: 3/22/1994
Birthplace: Naguabo, Puerto Rico
Edwin Diaz, relief pitcher/closer for the New York Mets, was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2012. He pitched in their minor league system from 2012 through 2015. He started as a relief pitcher in 2012 and moved to the starting rotation in 2013. He was the Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year in both 2014 and 2015.
Diaz pitched in 49 games of relief with the Mariners in 2016. He was their closer for part of the season and he finished with 18 saves. He had a 2.79 ERA, no wins and 4 losses, and 88 strikeouts to 15 walks in 51.2 innings. On August 2nd, he struck out his 50th batter. It was the first time in 123 years of MLB history that a pitcher struck out that many batters in just 25.1 innings.
Diaz finished the 2017 season with 4 wins and 6 losses, 34 saves, 89 strikeouts to 32 walks, and a 3.27 ERA in 66.0 innings in 66 games with the Mariners.
Diaz had an outstanding season in 2018. He led MLB relief pitchers in saves with 57 and he finished the season with a 1.96 ERA and 124 strikeouts to 17 walks in 73.1 innings in 73 games.
The Mariners traded Diaz to the Mets on December 3, 2018. He struggled in his first season in New York, finishing the season with 2 wins and 7 losses, 26 saves, 99 strikeouts to 22 walks, and a 5.59 ERA in 58.0 innings in 66 games.
Diaz pitched well in the shortened 2020 season. He finished the season with 2 wins and 1 loss, 50 strikeouts to 14 walks, 6 saves, and a 1.75 ERA in 25.2 innings in 26 games.
Diaz finished the 2021 season with 5 wins and 6 losses, 32 saves, 89 strikeouts to 23 walks, and a 3.45 ERA in 62.2 innings in 63 games.
Career pitching statistics for Diaz through 2021 include:
- 343 games played
- 337.1 innings pitched
- 13-28 win-loss record
- 173 saves
- 539 strikeouts to 123 walks
- 3.23 ERA
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Edwin Diaz
MiLB - Edwin Diaz
ESPN - Edwin Diaz