Luis Diaz promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake

MOBILE, Ala. (April 24, 2017) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim announced Monday that right-handed pitcher Luis Diaz has been promoted from the Mobile BayBears to Triple-A Salt Lake.
Diaz, 25, made three starts with the BayBears to begin the 2017 season and did not allow an earned run in 17 innings pitched. He posted a 2-0 record and surrendered just one unearned run on eight hits, while striking out 21 batters and holding opponents to a .143 average. Diaz was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week for the extended time period of April 6-16.
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, beginning in 2009. He spent last year in the San Diego Padres farm system.
Over the past four seasons, Diaz appeared in 53 Double-A games combined between Mobile, San Antonio (Texas League), and Portland (Eastern League). This is the first time he has been promoted to Triple-A in his career.
In addition to Diaz's promotion, the BayBears have received a pair of Top 30 prospects today from Class A-Advanced Inland Empire. Outfielder Michael Hermosillo and right-handed pitcher Jake Jewell are set to make their Double-A debuts.
In 13 games with Inland Empire this month, Hermosillo, 22, posted a .321 average (17-for-53) with a pair of RBI. He also stole five bases, including a career-high three April 15 at Visalia. Last season, Hermosillo combined to hit .317 and set career-highs with six home runs and 39 RBI.
The Mesa, Ariz., native was selected by the Angels in the 28th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Ottawa Township (Ill.) High School. Hermosillo received an invitation to Major League Spring Training this year, where he batted .333 (5-for-15) with one home run and four RBI in 15 games. He is currently the No. 15 prospect in the organization, according to MLB Pipeline.
Jewell, 23, made three starts to begin the 2017 season with Inland Empire, going 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA (4 earned runs in 16.0 innings pitched), three walks, and 15 strikeouts. Last year, he logged a career-high 137 innings with the 66ers in 28 games, 27 starts.
The Norman, Okla., native was selected by the Angels in the fifth round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. Jewell is currently the No. 27 prospect in the organization, according to MLB Pipeline.
In a corresponding move, outfielder Caleb Adams has been transferred to Extended Spring Training.
The BayBears continue a five-game home series Monday at 6:35 p.m. against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Live coverage can be seen on MiLB.tv and heard on the BayBears Broadcast Network, the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App, with the Countdown to First Pitch starting at 6:15 p.m.
The BayBears 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 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 160 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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