- Matt Diaz
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Matt Diaz
Diaz, with the Braves in 2008Atlanta Braves — No. 23 Right fielder Born: March 3, 1978
Portland, OregonBats: Right Throws: Right MLB debut July 19, 2003 for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Career statistics
(through 2011 season)Batting average .296 Home runs 43 Runs batted in 212 Teams - Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2003–2004)
- Kansas City Royals (2005)
- Atlanta Braves (2006–2010)
- Pittsburgh Pirates (2011)
- Atlanta Braves (2011–present)
Matthew Edward Diaz (pronounced /ˈdaɪ.əz/ dy-əz; born March 3, 1978 in Portland, Oregon) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who plays for the Atlanta Braves. He grew up in Lakeland, Florida.
Contents
Amateur career
As a two-year starter at Florida State University, Diaz helped lead the Seminoles to two College World Series appearances, including the 1999 title game vs. the University of Miami. He was named the Sporting News man of the Year in 1998, and a First Team All-American (American Baseball Coaches Association, National Baseball College Writers' Association) in 1999.
Professional career
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft in the 17th round.
Despite being among the Devil Rays' minor league career leaders in hits and extra base hits, Diaz had a tough time in the majors, hitting only .167 in 30 at-bats in his two years with the Devil Rays. After being released by Tampa Bay, Diaz signed with the Kansas City Royals where he hit .281 with 10 extra base hits (including 1 home run) and 12 RBI in a backup role in 2005.
Atlanta Braves
On December 19, 2005, Diaz was traded to the Atlanta Braves for minor league pitcher Ricardo Rodríguez. Diaz earned a backup outfielder spot for the Braves during spring training. Appearing in 124 games, including many starting assignments in the second half of the season, Diaz batted .327 in 297 at-bats. On August 14, 2006, Diaz had four hits for the second straight day and tied the National League record with ten straight hits. He grounded out in the 9th inning to end the streak.
Diaz had his first career two-homer game on August 29, 2007, against the Florida Marlins. On September 5, he hit a three-run walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth to give the Braves a 9-8 win. Diaz finished the season with a career-high .338 batting average in 124 games.
Pittsburgh Pirates
In December 2010, Diaz agreed to a two year, $4.25 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.[1]
Atlanta Braves
On August 31st 2011, Diaz was traded back to the Braves for a player to be named later. Pittsburgh also sent cash to the Braves in the deal. [2]
Personal
A born-again Christian, Diaz and his wife Leslee have three kids, Nathan Everett, Anna Grace, and Matthew Jacob. His brother is contemporary Christian singer Jonny Diaz.
Quotes
- On not being an everyday player: "[A] lot of people would think about the money they're not making if they don't play every day, but we all make enough money."[3]
References
- ^ http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10342/1109121-100.stm
- ^ Dierkes, Tim. "Braves Acquire Matt Diaz". MLBTradeRumors.com. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/braves-acquire-matt-diaz.html. Retrieved 8/31/2011.
- ^ http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/08/21/brvdiaz_0822.html
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
Atlanta Braves current roster Active roster 5 Freddie Freeman | 7 Brooks Conrad | 8 David Ross | 10 Chipper Jones | 14 Martín Prado | 15 Tim Hudson | 16 Brian McCann | 17 José Constanza | 20 Eric Hinske | 22 Jason Heyward | 23 Matt Diaz | 23 Brandon Hicks | 24 Michael Bourn | 26 Dan Uggla | 28 Tyler Pastornicky | 34 Eric O'Flaherty | 36 Mike Minor | 37 Brandon Beachy | 38 Anthony Varvaro | 39 Jonny Venters | 40 Randall Delgado | 46 Craig Kimbrel | 48 Tommy Hanson | 49 Jair Jurrjens | 50 Cristhian Martínez | 53 Cory Gearrin | 54 Kris Medlen | 56 Jairo Asencio | 57 Julio Teheran | 58 Peter Moylan | 59 Arodys Vizcaíno | 63 Erik Cordier | -- Todd Redmond
Inactive roster Disabled list Coaching Staff Manager 33 Fredi González | Bench Coach 18 Carlos Tosca | 1st Base Coach 9 Terry Pendleton | 3rd Base Coach 51 Brian Snitker | Hitting Coach -- Greg Walker | Pitching Coach 45 Roger McDowell | Bullpen Coach 12 Eddie Pérez | Coach -- Scott Fletcher | Coach 55 Alan Butts
Categories:- 1978 births
- Living people
- Florida State Seminoles baseball players
- Tampa Bay Devil Rays players
- Kansas City Royals players
- Atlanta Braves players
- Pittsburgh Pirates players
- Major League Baseball left fielders
- Baseball players from Portland, Oregon
- People from Lakeland, Florida
- People from St. Petersburg, Florida
- People from Tampa, Florida
- People from Atlanta, Georgia
- Hudson Valley Renegades players
- Orlando Rays players
- Durham Bulls players
- Wichita Wranglers players
- Omaha Royals players
- Mississippi Braves players
- Richmond Braves players
- American people of Spanish descent
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