Pittsburgh Pirates Ignore Recent Hot Headed Actions, Sign Chris Diaz

With their eleventh round pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, the Pirates selected shorstop Chirs Diaz an infielder with NC State.  Tonight the always sensational Kristy Robinson of Pirates Prospects reported that Diaz has signed with the Bucs.

Diaz had to apologize a couple days ago for an emotional outburst in the Super Regional.

"After home plate umpire Steve Corvi called the third strike, Diaz began to argue with Corvi and had to be restrained by head coach Elliott Avent. Diaz continued to pursue the officiating crew as it exited near first base and threw off his helmet, seeming to break it.“I regret my actions from the end of Sunday’s game,” Diaz said in a statement released by N.C. State. “The  emotions of the moment overwhelmed me, and unfortunately I acted in a  way that was unsportsmanlike. I have tried throughout my career to be a  leader for this team and university, and don’t want these actions to  reflect poorly on NC State. I understand that the umpires and the NCAA  officials have a difficult job to do, and I would like to apologize for  the way I reacted in an emotional situation.”Immediately following the game, Avent defended his player. He called Diaz – an All-ACC selection and second-team All-American by Louisville Slugger – a high-character player who had led the team all year."

Diaz hit .356 (90-for-253) with 25 doubles, two triples, one home run, 55 RBI and 54 runs scored in 61 games as a junior this year at NC State.

He earned Louisville Slugger second team All-American honors.  Diaz finished second in the ACC in hits (84) and tied for sixth in RBI (50) and was as also an All-ACC first-team selection this year.