An Article By Tim Ryder

The 2019 season has been a forgettable one for New York Mets reliever Edwin Diaz.

After elevating himself to being one of the premier closers in the game with Seattle, Diaz was acquired by the Mets in the offseason, along with Robinson Cano, for a return highlighted by the inclusion of two of New York’s top prospects, outfielder Jarred Kelenic and right-hander, Justin Dunn.

Lofty expectations were met with underwhelming results. Throw in the stings-a-little-more-each-day exchange that was sent to the Mariners, and, naturally, a fan base became enraged.

Look, there’s no denying the 25-year-old’s talents. Heading into Tuesday’s games, his 15.50 strikeouts per nine innings rank second among all qualified MLB relief pitchers. It’s the stuff between that’s been an issue for Diaz.

Through 64 appearances this season, the Puerto Rican native owns a 5.59 ERA (seventh-highest among qualified MLB relievers), allowing an unsightly 3.51 walks per nine innings (until you look at Jeurys Familia‘s 6.63 BB/9) and 2.24 home runs per nine — the most in the majors among the same group.

Elite stuff only gets a major league hurler so far at this level; command of one’s pitches is the tried-and-true underlying key to success.

As evidenced by the career-high 14 home runs he’s given up this season and the 10.4% barrel rate hitters are laying on his pitches (MLB average is 6.3 percent), it’s safe to say he’s been hanging out on Broadway a little too often.

Diaz pretty much solely relies on his four-seam fastball and his slider, racking up 41.7% and 36% strikeout rates with each, respectively. Again, just electric stuff.

The 12.4 inches of horizontal-break (four inches above average) on his four-seamer is elite, and the .167 batting average against and .333 slugging against he’s induced when using his slider with two strikes gives Diaz a concrete plan to work off of — come and get it, boys.

Unfortunately, hitters have done just that.

Diaz’ slider is being tuned up to a .296 BA/.592 SLG clip this season, and he’s allowed too many four-seamers to horizontally drift into the middle of the strike zone, resulting in nine home runs off that pitch.

For reference, Diaz allowed five home runs through the entire 2018 season.

At the risk of repeating myself, the talent is obviously there. But, at the present moment, the level of execution simply is not.

There have been flashes (3.12 ERA from July 6 through the end of the month), and he’s appeared to respond well in limited exposure to high-leverage situations (one run allowed, eight strikeouts over his last 17 batters faced; 4.1 IP), but something’s clearly amiss.

With his void in the relief corps production line, the Mets’ bullpen was missing a major cog. Seth Lugo and Justin Wilson carried this group as far as they could, but it clearly wasn’t enough.

Diaz — and to a similar extent, Familia — will continue to be called upon in big situations next season and they have to be prepared — both physically and mentally — for that.

On Tuesday, Edwin Diaz spoke to SNY through the team’s translator regarding his struggles this season and his mindset heading into 2020.

“When the season ends, I’m going to go relax at home for a little bit and then I’m going to get right back to work at two-hundred percent. I think one bad season doesn’t determine if you’re a bad pitcher or not. I had three great seasons in Seattle and that’s not a coincidence.”

“You get anxious sometimes but you just have to continue working every single day. I’m going to come back next season and I hope to prove to the fans here that I’m the Edwin Diaz they want.”

Sounds good, Edwin. Let’s see it.