Yusniel Díaz
Cuban baseball player (born 1996)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Yusniel Efraín Díaz Hechavarría (born October 7, 1996) is a Cuban professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles.
| Yusniel Díaz | |
|---|---|
Díaz with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes | |
| Free agent | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: October 7, 1996 Havana, Cuba | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 2, 2022, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
| Batting average | .000 |
| Home runs | 0 |
| Runs batted in | 0 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Career
Industriales
Díaz played for the Industriales of the Cuban National Series and hit .348/.448/.440 over 65 games as a rookie.[1] He was the favorite to win the Cuban National Series Rookie of the Year Award, but defected before the award was given out.[2]
Los Angeles Dodgers
Díaz signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in November 2015.[3] The Dodgers assigned him to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the Advanced Class-A California League to begin his professional career.[4] In 82 games for the Quakes in 2016, he hit .267 with eight homers and 54 RBI.[5] In 2017, he played in 83 games for the Quakes and 31 for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers and hit .292 with 11 homers and 52 RBI.[5] He was assigned to play in the Arizona Fall League and was chosen for the Fall Stars Game showcase.[6] Díaz remained with Tulsa to begin 2018 and was selected to the "world" team at the All-Star Futures Game.[7]
Baltimore Orioles
On July 18, 2018, Díaz was traded to the Baltimore Orioles along with Breyvic Valera, Dean Kremer, Rylan Bannon, and Zach Pop in exchange for Manny Machado.[8] He was assigned to the Bowie Baysox and finished the year there. In 97 games between Tulsa and Bowie, he slashed .285/.392/.449 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI.[9] He split the 2019 season between the Aberdeen IronBirds, Frederick Keys, and Bowie, hitting a combined .265/.341/.464 with 11 home runs and 55 RBI.[10] Díaz did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]
On November 20, 2020, the Orioles added Díaz to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[12] Díaz split the 2021 season between Bowie and the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. In 65 games between the two affiliates, he batted .161/.233/.265 with five home runs and 22 RBI.[5]
He spent the majority of the 2022 season with Norfolk, slashing .251/.346/.360 with six home runs, 34 RBI, and nine stolen bases in 70 games.[5] On August 1, 2022, Díaz was recalled and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[13] He made his MLB debut the next day, receiving one plate appearance and striking out against the Texas Rangers’ Dennis Santana. He was sent down to Norfolk to the following day.[14] He was recalled on August 21,[15] but sent down the next day without making an appearance.[16]
On November 10, 2022, Díaz was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Norfolk.[17] He elected free agency the same day.[18]
Los Angeles Dodgers (second stint)
On February 3, 2023, Díaz signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.[19] He spent the season with the Double–A Tulsa Drillers, playing in 94 games and batting .278/.374/.484 with 16 home runs and 60 RBI.[5] Díaz elected free agency following the season on November 6.[20]
San Francisco Giants
On November 21, 2023, Díaz signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants.[21] He played in 20 games for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, slashing .177/.358/.373 with three home runs, five RBI, and four stolen bases. Díaz elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2024.[22]
Lincoln Saltdogs
On January 16, 2025, Díaz signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[23] In 53 appearances for Lincoln, Díaz batted .253/.330/.429 with nine home runs and 44 RBI. He became a free agent following the season.
Conspiradores de Querétaro
On April 18, 2026, Díaz signed with the Conspiradores de Querétaro of the Mexican League.[24] He made four appearances for the Conspiradores, going 3-for-12 (.250). Díaz was released by Querétaro on April 30.[25]
Algodoneros de Unión Laguna
On May 2, 2026, Díaz signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League.[26] In 16 appearances for the Algodoneros, he batted .354/.394/.477 with one home run and 15 RBI. On May 31, 2026, Díaz was waived by Laguna.[27]
Leones de Yucatán
On May 31, 2026, Díaz was claimed off waivers by the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.[28] In eight games for the Leones, he batted .182/.333/.227 with no home runs and one RBI. On June 24, Díaz was released by Yucatán.[29]