The numbers say he hits the ball hard. Just about as hard as anyone in the lineup based on his percentage of swings.
He’s muscular, he’s got a discerning eye at the plate, and manager Kevin Cash routinely writes Yandy Diaz’s name in the middle of the lineup, including 13 games as Tampa Bay’s cleanup hitter.
Yet, until the ninth inning Sunday in Arlington, Texas, Diaz had gone nearly 10 months and 207 regular-season at-bats without hitting a home run. Tampa Bay had been the only team in the majors without a home run from a first baseman in 2021.
“I’m happy,” Diaz joked via team interpreter Manny Navarro. “I feel free now.”
The problem with Diaz is not really a problem at all, as far as the Rays are concerned. Other than a brief stretch early in 2019, Diaz has never been a power hitter. He does not employ the exaggerated launch angle in his swing and focuses instead on making hard contact.
And that’s precisely what he does most of the time. His average exit velocity on balls is 90 mph, which is just a tick behind team leaders Mike Zunino (91.1) and Randy Arozarena (91.2). His on-base percentage, meanwhile, is .386 and he leads the team in walks with 39.
He fell behind in the count 1-2 with the bases loaded Sunday, but worked an eight-pitch walk to drive in the tying run.
“Yandy does such a good job. He’s so consistent and works pitchers as good as anybody on our club,” Cash said. “I think his walk rate (17.1 percent) might be higher than his strikeout rate (13.5 percent). He just puts a tough at-bat on pitchers.”
Cash joked with Diaz afterward that the home run did not even register 100 mph, instead coming in at 99.2 mph. Yet for all the grief his teammates give him, Cash said the dugout was thrilled for Diaz when he returned.
“I’ve never been the type of hitter to hit a lot of home runs, even though I might have the strength for it,” Diaz said. “I want hard contact and have great at-bats, that’s my goal every time I go up there.”
Injured prospect continues to improve
Tyler Zombro, the Rays’ pitching prospect who was hospitalized after being struck in the head by a line drive on Thursday in Durham, is showing improvement and could soon be transferred out of the intensive care unit.
“Still progressing. We’re happy where he’s at,” Cash said. “There could be some movement getting out of ICU and going elsewhere today or tomorrow. So still fingers crossed, but good signs.”
The Bulls suspended their game Thursday night in the eighth inning after Zombro was injured and postponed Friday’s game, but returned to action on Saturday with a 4-0 victory against Norfolk.
Miscellany
Austin Meadows extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a leadoff single in the fourth. Meadows is hitting .395 in that stretch with five homers and 19 RBIs. … J.P. Feyereisen got the win Sunday and is now 2-0 with three saves and a 1.08 ERA in his seven appearances since being acquired from Milwaukee in the Willy Adames deal … Errors by shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa helped both Tampa Bay rallies in the final two innings. The Rays did not commit an error, and are now second in the American League behind Houston for fewest errors.
• • •
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More than 200 at-bats later, Yandy Diaz delivers a welcome home run - Tampa Bay Times
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