Pirates claim first baseman Lewin Díaz off waivers from Miami
The Pittsburgh Pirates today claimed first baseman Lewin Díaz off waivers from the Miami Marlins.
Díaz finished the season tied for the third-most Defensive Runs Saved (five) among all first basemen in Major League Baseball according to the Fielding Bible while appearing in a total of 58 games in 2022 with Miami.
The 26-year-old Díaz had three separate stints last season with Miami, where he went 27-for-160 with four doubles, five home runs and 11 RBI. He has also recorded a total of 16 Defensive Runs Saved and nine Outs Above Average in 753.2 innings (99 games/86 starts) at first base during his big league career.
Díaz also hit .252 with 19 home runs and 64 RBI in 82 games in 2022 with Triple-A Jacksonville. The left-handed hitting Diaz finished the season fourth among all Marlins minor leaguers in home runs, third in RBI, tied for fourth in extra base hits (39) and tied for eighth in total bases (169).
Díaz entered the 2021 season rated as Miami’s No. 6 prospect according to MLB Pipeline while also appearing in 40 games for the Marlins. He also took home MVP honors for Jacksonville while hitting 20 home runs in 74 games at the Triple-A level.
To make room for Díaz on the 40-man roster, infielder Hoy Park has been designated for assignment.