Luis Diaz captures Southern League Pitcher of the Week honors

PEARL, Miss. (April 17, 2017) -Luis Diaz, a right-handed pitcher for the Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, has been named Southern League Pitcher of the Week for the extended time period of April 6-16. The 25-year-old made two six-inning starts and did not allow a run.
Diaz led the Mobile pitching staff with a total of 12 scoreless innings and only gave up four hits in two quality starts. He struck out eight batters, one shy of his career-high, while issuing just one walk in a win April 8 at Chattanooga. Diaz celebrated his 25th birthday the day after the victory. In Friday's home start against Jackson, Diaz fanned seven batters over six frames. He did not factor in the decision, as the game was scoreless through the first eight innings.
The Valencia, Venezuela native signed with the Angels as a Minor League free agent this past offseason on November 10, 2016. Diaz was a member of the Boston Red Sox organization for the majority of his professional career, prior to spending last year in the San Diego Padres farm system. Over the past four seasons, Diaz has appeared in 52 Double-A games combined between Mobile, San Antonio (Texas League), and Portland (Eastern League).
Diaz is the first BayBears player to earn a Southern League weekly award this season.
The BayBears begin a five-game road series Monday at 7:00 p.m. at Trustmark Park against the Mississippi Braves. Live coverage can be heard on the BayBears Broadcast Network, the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App, with the Countdown to First Pitch starting at 6:40 p.m.
The BayBears return home Saturday night and host a total of 70 home dates through Labor Day, September 4. Single-game tickets and ticket packages are currently on sale. Season tickets and group and hospitality offerings for the 2017 season can be reserved by calling (251) 479-BEAR (2327).
About the Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles of Anaheim and play their games at beautiful Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The BayBears were founded in 1997 and have won four Southern League titles in 1998, 2004, 2011, and 2012. Additionally, the 1998 and 2011 championship squads were named Minor League Team of the Year by Baseball America. More than 150 former BayBears have reached the Major League level, including All-Stars Max Scherzer, Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Peavy, Carlos Gonzalez, and Justin Upton. For more information on the Mobile BayBears and Hank Aaron Stadium, please visit MobileBayBears.com, call (251) 479-BEAR (2327), or contact Steve Goldberg via email at [email protected].
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