Where Are They Now: Jose Diaz

The Baysox 20th season at Prince George's Stadium is just around the corner. During the past 19 years, hundreds of players have come through Bowie - some have stopped in for just a few weeks and others have been here for years before moving on with their careers. During the offseason, check back to baysox.com to find out where some of those players are now.

Right-handed relief pitcher Jose (Jumbo) Diaz began his Minor League career in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in 2002 after being signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic. He played 10 games with the Gulf Coast League Dodgers that season and was named the fifth best prospect in the GCL by Baseball America following the season.

In 2004, while pitching for Single-A Columbus, Diaz was named to the South Atlantic League All-Star Team and he led all Dodgers Minor League pitchers with a combined 20 saves between Columbus and High-A Vero Beach. While injury problems caused him to miss much of the early part of the season, his success continued in 2005 when he did not allow an earned run in 14 appearances and 15.2 innings of work with Vero Beach.

After struggling with elbow problems that limited him to just 16 games in 2005 and 18 games in 2006, he was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery after pitching in just two games in 2007. As a result of the surgery he missed the entire 2008 season and signed on with the Texas Rangers organization in 2009 where he was back to his former self, going 3-1 with a 3.63 ERA and 10 saves in 36 games.

Following the 2009 season, Diaz joined the Orioles and he began 2010 with the Frederick Keys. He led the Keys and finished third in the Carolina League with 12 saves and was promoted to Bowie in July where he allowed an earned run in just three of his 19 appearances. He returned to the Baysox the following season and was a reliable closer for the team, leading the team and finishing third in the Eastern League with 22 saves. He also appeared in 14 games for Triple-A Norfolk

Diaz became a free agent at the end of the season and joined the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012. He spent the season with Triple-A Indianapolis where he went 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA and three saves in 41 games and 45.0 innings of work. Diaz also made headlines in 2012 for a video that showed the 6'4" 300-plus pound pitcher stealing his first career base in September in a game against the Louisville Bats.

Past Profiled Players:
Pedro Florimon
Jim Miller
Kam Mickolio
Jonathan Tucker
David Hernandez
Adam Loewen
Eli Whiteside
Pedro Beato
Mike Costanzo
Rommie Lewis
Brandon Snyder
Tyler Henson
Matt Angle
Steve Lerud
Chorye Spoone
Jim Hoey
Kyle Hudson
Joel Guzman
Val Majewski

Baysox Baseball - We'll Knock Your 'Sox Off. The Baysox open the 2013 season on the road and begin the 20th season of baseball at Prince George's Stadium Thursday, April 11. To keep up with Baysox news during the offseason, visit baysox.com.