Out of the Top 50 Jays Prospects (for now): Misaul Diaz and Milciades Santana

There are prospects in the Jays system that deserve coverage  even though they didn’t make our top 50 list pre-2011. Most of these players are players that we foresee as possibly making the top 50 list in either mid-2011 or 2012. We continue the 25 extra prospect profiles with 2 very talented pitchers from the Domincan Republic…

Out of the Top 50 Jays Prospects: Misaul Antonio Diaz

Right-Handed Pitcher / 21 years old / 6’2″ 180 lbs

Born: December 20th 1989, in Villa Tapia Dominican Republic

Bats: Right   Throws: Right

Signed: as an international FA in 2008

Quick Facts:

• Did not make 1 error in 2010 and had an impressive 1.00 RF/G (Range Factor per game, which is putouts + assits / games played). In fact, he has only made 3 errors during his minor league career, and all 3 occured in 2009 while in the GCL.
• Has progressively lowered his walk rate from a high of 3.8 per 9 IP as a Rookie in 2008, to 1.6 per 9 IP in Auburn in 2010.
• Simultaneously, his K/9 rate has risen from a low of 7.6 per 9 IP in 2008, to 9.1 per 9 IP in Auburn in 2010.
• His 0.994 Whip overall in 2010 (through 58.1 IP) was particularly impressive, as was his 5.75 K/BB ratio.

Jersey: #10 for the Auburn Doubledays

Stats:

When trying to rate the stuff of Misaul Diaz, you have to like the way that his progression has been steady but strong. The only thing left for him to do in order to put himself on the map as a top prospect to watch more closely is to perform as he did in 2010 for a full season of work at the LoA or above levels. Unless he gets that opportunity in 2010 in Lansing, he likely won’t make the grade on many people’s lists because he’ll begin the 2012 season at 22 years old without a full season of baseball under his belt. But, if he gets the opportunity to perform and does as well as most of us suspect he can, he could be huge strides and become another arm in a very well stocked Jays system.

Diaz is one of the most under-the-radar Jays pitchers to look for in 2011 and is one of my favorite Jays system sleepers.

Expected 2011 Team: LoA Lansing Lugnuts or Bluefield Blue Jays

Top 50 Range if he makes the list in 2012: #25-50

Chances of making it into the Top 50 in 2012: 90%

Out of the Top 50 Jays Prospects: Milciades Santana

Right-Handed Pitcher / 22 years old / 6’5″ 214 lbs

Born: January 20th 1989, in San Rafael De Yuma Dominican Republic

Bats: right   Throws: right

Signed: As an international FA in 2008

Quick Facts:

• Had an even 1.00 Whip in 2010.
• Lowered his H/9 from 10.2 in 2008 to 5.7 in 2010, a very impressive reduction.
• Still needs to work on walking fewer hitters as he walked 11 in only 30 IP in 2010.
• With the limited amount of work he received in 2010, it’s possible that he only pitched in relief due to injuries and could return to starting in 2011. However, with his performance being so strong as a reliever and his age creeping up on him, it’s more likely that the Jays will keep him in relief and see how he responds to relieving at the higher levels.

Jersey: #48 for the GCL Blue Jays

Stats:

Milciades was a starter for his first few seasons in the minors, but had his role changed in 2010 to relief and did he ever take to it quickly. All of his stats benefited from the move to the pen. The most impressive changes were the low avaergae against (.180) and the increase in K rate to 10.5/9 IP.

Now that he is a full time reliever and has shown he can dominate hitters in the GCL, expect for Santana to move quickly through the system. He has the size and stuff to continue to progress to the higher levels of the minors and 2011 will be a real test for him as he will likely be pushed to full season play.

Expected 2011 Team: LoA Lansing Lugnuts

Top 50 Range if he makes the list in 2012: #30-40

Chances of making it into the Top 50 in 2012: 90%

– MG

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