On Thursday evening MLB Network revealed their top 10 relief pitchers as part of the Top 10 Right Now series leading up to the start of spring training. New York Mets closer, Edwin Diaz earned a spot in the top 10, ranking sixth among MLB Network’s top 10 relief pitchers.
Diaz, who landed at No. 2 among fan votes, has a career 2.93 ERA over 404 games played. He has 205 saves and has struck out 657 batters over the course of 399 1/3 innings pitched.
In 2020, he had a 1.75 ERA and six saves. He struck out 50 over the course of 25 2/3 innings pitched.
In 2021, he was 5-6 with a higher 3.45 ERA, but had 32 saves that season. He struck out 89 over the course of 62 innings pitched and walked just 23 batters.
Ahead of Díaz on the list were Devin Williams, Ryan Helsley, Pete Fairbanks, Evan Phillips, and Jhoan Duran.
2022 was a standout season for the right-handed, 6’3” closer from Puerto Rico. He had a 1.31 ERA, 32 saves and struck out 118 batters over 62 innings pitched. He walked just 18 in a very solid season in relief.
After competing with Team Puerto Rico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Diaz tore his patellar tendon in his right knee while celebrating a victory on the field. The injury ended up being season-ending. He proceeded to miss the entire 2023 season after having surgery to repair his patellar tear.
Diaz posted a short clip to his Instagram on Tuesday from a bullpen session he throwing, which showed signs that he is on his way back to the Mets’ bullpen, something Mets’ fans were looking forward to seeing.
