Dart Throws: Isan Diaz

In JKJ’s universal DH: NL East piece, he mentions some guys who the Marlins might ask to DH for them if/when the universal DH is implemented. Jon Berti, Jesus Aguilar, Garrett Cooper and even Lewin Diaz, and all of those names seem well within the realm of possibilities for the Marlins’ DH. Berti is obviously the most interesting and Cooper/Aguilar seem like strong possibilities too. I’d even consider Corey Dickerson there. So, JKJ is right, the Marlames will need someone. This isn’t a clearcut situation of this so-and-so slides into the DH spot. Berti is a waste at DH; he can play all over the field. Prototypical DHs are Aguilar and Cooper. Maybe even Matt Joyce on occasion. What I think the DH does in Miami is open an extra spot for one guy to get rest (Cooper, Aguilar, Dickerson) and Berti to play the field more. So, Berti will see more at-bats now. I’ve already given you a Jon Berti sleeper, which was from 2019 and that feels like it was about 17 years ago. Berti, Berti, Berti! He’s great! I love him! This post is surprisingly not about him. He can fill in for Dickerson, Aguilar, Lewis Brinson, Brian Anderson, everyone and no longer needs to take at-bats and play 2nd base over one guy JKJ didn’t mention, who now becomes a full-timer, Isan Diaz, the Forgotten Man. FoMa is giving me FOMO. So, what can we expect from Isan Diaz for 2020 fantasy baseball and what makes him a great dart throw?

Here’s what I said in the 2nd basemen to target for 2020 fantasy baseball, “Am I the only one who sees Isan and starts singing La Isla Bonita? If that shizz ain’t played for him as his walk-up music, my name is Harry Stiles and I have to tell everyone, “Yes, I’m handsome, but you’re thinking of Harry Styles with a Y.” The Marlins are going to let Isan (Bonita) sink or swim to start the year. Will he sink or swim? That guess is trickier, but he hit 26 HRs, stole five bags and hit .305 in Triple-A last year, and is 23 years old.  If you were to just look at early ADP, you’d think he hit .173. Oh, wait, he did, for the Marlins after his call-up, but it was in only 179 ABs and he hit five homers. I’m on board (a charter) for La Isan Bonita.” And that’s me quoting me! By the way, that post dropped on March 11th; it feels like it’s from 1989. Yo, wait until November when the Berlin Wall falls! Steamer projections have Isan Diaz down for 10/4. *picking up a CB radio* “10/4? Loud and clear, big buddy. You think he sucks. Over and out.” Why I’m not writing him off:  his minor league numbers don’t suck. Every time he came up to a new level it took some adjusting and then he started hit those hangers like Joan Crawford (very fresh reference). He hit .204 in Triple-A his 1st year there with a 29% K-rate, then hit .305, and cut his Ks to 22.1%. Last year could’ve just been his adjustment period, and he hits the ground running this year. Speaking of running, he is far from fast, but he’s never hesitated about attempting steals. Last year he was caught seven times and only stole five bags (with no successful steals in the majors). That would scare the bejesus Aguilar out of me usually, but what else are the Marlins doing? They don’t seem to care if people run themselves out of the inning. Maybe Diaz doesn’t steal ten bags, but he could sneak into four to six in a shortened season. Speaking of shortened seasons, Diaz hit those 26 homers in AAA in only 102 games. Now, I’m not saying he will replicate that year 26/5/.305 in the majors in nearly the same number of games, but if he can even come close with, say, 17/4/.260 that is more than enough for me to take a gamble on that dart throw.