Matt Diaz - Fantasy News & Updates
Matt Diaz - Fantasy News & Updates
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Up until this season, Diaz primarily started against left-handers, but he started pretty much every day down the stretch this time around and rewarded owners with solid numbers. It remains to be seen whether the Braves will stick with Diaz as an everyday player, though it would seem he deserves that chance after the way he performed this year.
Diaz hasn't played since Sept. 30 because of the affliction, which may have come from a small piece of a broken bat entering his hand in mid-September. It's unclear precisely what his role will be next year with top prospect Jason Heyward possibly earning a corner outfield spot, but Diaz certainly showed promise this year. He ends the year with a .313 batting average, 13 homers, 58 RBIs, 56 runs and 12 stolen bases.
Kelly Johnson took Prado's place at second base,while Matt Diaz moved into the two-spot in the lineup for Wednesday's game. It looked as if Prado might need to be carted off the field initially, but he rose and made it back to the clubhouse with just a slight limp. X-rays results should go a long way toward determining whether he returns Wednesday or beyond.
Diaz broke new ground largely because he earned it, forcing his way into the Braves lineup down the stretch. Credit owners who jumped on the veteran outfielder at the All-Star break, as he boasts a .337 average, eight homers, 31 RBIs and a .535 slugging percentage ever since.
Diaz bashed his first home run in September, an unexpected lack of power after going deep six times in August. He's hitting a tepid .257 in 11 games since Sept. 5, so the outfielder's value has seen a marked decrease after he hit a blistering .404 to go with those six homers in August.
Diaz sports a scorching-hot .421 average with a .511 on-base percentage in nine games leading off. Even with McLouth deemed fit to play, the Braves will have a tough time benching Diaz while's hitting this well. It's possible he'll continue to start at the expense of Garrett Anderson.
Diaz has been absolutely torching opposing pitchers since Aug. 16, putting up a .476 AVG with six extra-base hits and 10 RBIs in the 11-game span. His ability to reach base lately has lifted him to the leadoff role for the past two games, which is where he should remain until Nate McLouth is healthy enough to return to the lineup.
Church was a late scratch from Satuday's contest with the Marlins and didn't play on Sunday. Anderson hasn't suited up since Aug. 21 but was available to pinch-hit Sunday. Reid Gorecki and Omar Infante should head back to the bench when the two veterans are ready to take the field again alongside the scorching Matt Diaz.
Diaz has stepped in and filled the void left behind by the injured Nate McClouth in a big way, raking at a .375 clip with a meaty .688 slugging percentage, five homers, 13 runs and 14 RBIs in August. The 31-year-old, who has never stolen more than five bases in any season, has also swiped a trio of bags in August for good measure, making him a true five-category threat. Owners in all formats should target Diaz while McClouth is on the mend.
Diaz has now homered in three of his last four games, and seems to be responding well to the regular playing time he has received in Nate McLouth's absence. He's 7-for-16 (.438) with three homers and eight RBIs in his last five games, and should be starting in NL-only leagues as long as his torrid hot streak continues.
Diaz has been bringing out the heavy lumber recently, sending three out of the yard in the last eight games. He’s swiped a pair of bags in that span to give him eight on the season, complementing a solid .294 average.
Diaz has rung up a few decent outings in August, including a pair of three-hit games to go with the three taters he's smacked. He's hitting .317 during the month, which is worthy of attention from NL-only leaguers.
Diaz followed up a three-hit effort Aug. 6 with his second homer in August. Diaz had success the last season he played in August, in 2007, when he hit .386 with seven homers and 13 RBIs. A repeat of those numbers would make him a worthy look in mixed leagues.
With Nate McLouth and Martin Prado setting the table, Church should get his fair share of RBI opportunities batting in the lower half of the Braves lineup. The only downside is he'll likely wind up sharing playing time in right field with Matt Diaz, who's hitting .301 with four long balls and 22 RBIs in 156 at-bats.
This might just be Francoeur's last season as a Brave. Over the course of his past 55 games, the once-promising right fielder has hit .225 with two homers and a .285 slugging percentage. With Francoeur already making $3.375 million during his first of three arbitration-eligible seasons, there's definite reason to believe the Braves could non-tender him if they aren't able to trade him before December. Coincidentally, Francoeur's return to the Minors last year also occurred over the July 4 holiday weekend.
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