Houston Astros: Top Prospect To Watch In 2023

Yainer Diaz, one of the top prospects for the Houston Astros, is one of the most exciting young players to watch this season.

As the Houston Astros' No. 2-ranked prospect and one of the top prospects in all of baseball, Diaz has been making waves with his impressive performance on the field. Since signing with Cleveland for $25,000 in 2016, Diaz has been a consistent performer, never batting less than .302 in four seasons in the United States.

The Astros acquired Diaz and Phil Maton from Cleveland in July 2021 for Myles Straw.

Took that for a ride. pic.twitter.com/2xnOhdWBQa

— Houston Astros (@astros) March 28, 2023

Diaz's standout performance over the past five seasons has made him one of the top prospects in baseball. His outstanding bat-to-ball skills, demonstrated by his impressive .321 batting average and 14 percent strikeout rate, allow him to make consistent contact to all fields.

Diaz's raw power has also seen a significant increase during his first full season with the Astros organization, resulting in higher exit velocities and more extra-base hits.

Here’s how the battle for backup catcher is playing out:

Korey Lee:
-31 at-bats, 9 runs, 8 hits, 2 homers, 6 RBI
-.258 AVG and .827 OPS
-1 players thrown out on 10 attempts

Yainer Diaz:
-40 at-bats, 6 runs, 13 hits, 1 homers, 8 RBI
-.325 AVG and .892 OPS
-3 CS on 5 attempts

— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) March 27, 2023

Last season, he posted a .306/.356/.542 triple-slash line, with 25 home runs, 96 RBIs, two stolen bases and 75 runs scored across 105 games played between Double-A and Triple-A.

Despite concerns about his defense, Diaz's receiving, blocking, and preparation have all shown signs of improvement.

Additionally, his plus arm is a valuable asset in controlling the running game. Diaz's versatility has also seen him spend significant time at first base, making him a versatile asset in the Astros' lineup.

Ain't this grand?

No. 2 @Astros prospect Yainer Diaz puts this one on the berm for his first homer of the spring. pic.twitter.com/uBHVzHzKxC

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 26, 2023

As the 2023 season progresses, keep an eye on Diaz's performance and potential impact on the team.

With his impressive performance over the past five seasons and his status as one of the top prospects in baseball, Diaz is poised to make an impact in the big leagues in the near future.

Photo Credit:  Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports