Over his first season in Flushing after being acquired from the Seattle Mariners, along with second baseman Robinson Cano, in exchange for a quintet of Mets, including two extremely high-profile prospects, Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn, New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz has struggled.
Through 51 appearances heading into Sunday, the 25-year-old right-hander is sporting career-high marks in ERA (5.44), FIP (4.49), and home runs allowed per nine innings (2.14).
After leading the American League in saves last season while posting a 1.96 ERA/1.61 FIP with 15.22 strikeouts and 2.09 walks per nine innings, and 0.61 home runs allowed per nine, it’s become clear something is off with the young righty.
Though, with pitching guru Phil Regan, as well as general manager Brodie Van Wagenen’s newly-hired analytics staff, surely on the case, it appears the Mets feel that Diaz is ready to turn a corner.
“I think we’re this close,” Regan told Mike Puma of the New York Post. “We’re working on a few things trying to get [Diaz’] slider back […] His fastball is pretty good right now and his direction is pretty good. I don’t know if they are sitting [on his fastball] because he’s still throwing his slider, but they are not the quality sliders we want him to have.”
After holding hitters to a .129 batting average against and .234 slugging percentage against versus his slider in 2o18, batters are touching up Diaz’ slider to the tune of .317 BAA/.241 SLG against this season.
By focusing on the pitch that allows his high-powered four-seamer to thrive — Diaz’ slider — Regan’s certainly on the right track to getting Diaz back to where everyone needs him to be, production-wise.
Despite some awfully rough times during his short tenure in New York — including losing his closing job to Seth Lugo — Diaz appears to be doing all he can to work through them and regain the form that made him one of the best young relievers in the game.
“Mentally, I am 100 percent fine. I am positive all the time, so it’s just the mechanics I have to tweak a little bit,” he said. “I see myself as a pretty important part. When I first came here, I came to win and it hasn’t changed for me. The season hasn’t gone as I have really wanted to or the team has wanted to, but I think, going forward, we can make a lot of good games.”
As for whispers of a minor-league assignment to work on his stuff, Diaz clarified, “they haven’t mentioned anything to me”, adding, “in contrast, they have actually told me they are [counting] on me in big situations.”
If his stress-free outing in Sunday’s win over Kansas City is any indication, Edwin Diaz may very well be on his way back to prominence.
We’ll keep you posted with any additional information.
