This afternoon the Cardinals promoted to Triple-A Memphis late in the season after recording a .264/.324/.421 line in 375 at-bats for Double-A Springfield. The Cardinals likely made this move in order to protect Diaz from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, but he could be a candidate to make the 25-man roster in the coming years considering St. Louis invested heavily in the 25-year-old when they signed him out of Cuba prior to the 2014 season. The Cardinals also added left-handed pitcher Dean Kiekhefer from Triple A Memphis and outfielder Charlie Tilson from Double A Springfield. These three players have been added to the team’s 40-man Major League roster which currently stands at 36.
Diaz, 25, split time in 2015 between Springfield and Memphis, batting a combined .278 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI in 116 games. The Cuban native has enjoyed a strong showing in the prospect-laden Arizona Fall League, currently ranking among the league’s top-10 in HR’s (4-T3rd), RBI (14-T8th), runs (16-2nd), doubles (7-2nd), slugging pct. (.618-5th) and on-base + slugging (.986-6th). A member of the Arizona Fall League’s Surprise Saguaros along with Kiekhefer and Tilson, Diaz is ranked 12th in AFL batting at .309.
I am glad to see the Cardinals add Diaz to the 40 man roster. This shows me they still consider Diaz as a notable player worthy of a shot as an everyday shortstop in the near future.
CARDINAL RED BASEBALL 