Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Potential Third-Round Picks

Shortstop/Catcher Davis Diaz

Davis Diaz would certainly be an interesting pick. Diaz was a shortstop throughout most of his high school career but has recently added catcher to his defensive prowess. The Acalanes High School product has been getting some attention for a few years now for his work for USA Baseball’s 12U National Team in 2015 and their 15 and under team during 2017-2018.

Diaz is a hit-over-power kind of hitter. He has a 55-grade hit tool by MLB Pipeline with FanGraphs sharing a similar sentiment having him with a 55-future grade for the same tool. According to FanGraphs, he’s gotten stronger as he’s progressed and projects as an above-average hitter. He’s only been given a 45-grade power tool on MLB Pipeline. FanGraphs only has his game power as a 30-grade tool but has a 45-grade future raw power tool.

Diaz makes hard contact quite often. Though most of those hard-hit balls are line drives, he can hit to all fields. As he matures and grows, many of those line drives will turn into home runs if he can continue to barrel the ball up.

Diaz is an average runner, but a good fielder. He has quick hands and an average arm. Though he lacks the first-step quickness and range at shortstop, he could be a plus defensive catcher. FanGraphs projects him as a 60-grade fielder in the future.

Though he is still just 18-years-old. He turned 18 back in early March, so he’s still very young. Davis stands at 5’11″, 175 pounds. He could easily reach the 6-foot, 200-pound mark by the time he’s in the majors. If the Pittsburgh Pirates were to draft Diaz, they should keep him behind the dish.