32 days until the first spring training workout for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Spring Training 2018 continues to inch closer by the day for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Even though this weekend has brought another cold spell and more snow to Pennsylvania, Spring Training keeps getting closer. In just 32 days, the Pittsburgh Pirates will send their pitchers and catchers to the fields of Pirate City in Bradenton for their first workout of the spring.

Number 32 for the Pittsburgh Pirates is backup catcher Elias Diaz.

While many people view Diaz as the catcher of the future, or possibly even the present over Francisco Cervelli, his performance last year indicates differently. In his first extended Major League look, Diaz struggled immensely in 2017. Combine this with his average at best offensive results in the minor leagues, and Diaz’s ceiling appears to be that of a career backup.

Elias Diaz accumulated 200 plate appearances in 64 games played last season. His offensive woes were extensive as he owned a .265 on-base percentage, .314 slugging percentage, an ISO of .090, his wOBA was .253, and his wRC+ was just 52.

While Diaz did a good job of throwing out opposing base stealers last season, he was a poor pitch framer, he struggled to handle the pitching staff, and he was not good at blocking balls in the dirt. When you combine all of that with his lack of offensive production Diaz finished the 2017 season with a fWAR of -0.3.

Looking ahead to 2018, Elias Diaz is in line to do something he has never done before – make the Pirates’ Opening Day roster. While, in my opinion, he is best served to catch every day at Triple-A to continue to work on all the areas where he struggles he is in line to be Francisco Cervelli’s backup in 2018. With Clint Hurdle and the Pirates looking to give Cervelli a lessened workload in 2018, Diaz should expect to garner at least 40-45 starts this season.

Once again, just as he did in 2017, he will have an opportunity to show he can be the catcher of the future for the Pirates. Hopefully for both Diaz and the team, it goes better than it did in 2017 when the already 27-year-old catcher was given this opportunity.

Next: Bucs avoid arbitration with 3 players

There are just 32 more days until pitchers and catchers, which will include Elias Diaz, have their first workout of the spring for the Pittsburgh Pirates.