Matt Diaz

For the U.S. Navy officer, see Matthew Diaz.

Matt Diaz
Diaz, with the Braves in 2008
Atlanta Braves – No. 23
Outfielder
Bats: Right Throws: Right
debut
July 19, 2003, for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Career statistics (through June 4, 2008)
Batting average	.310
Home runs	23
Runs batted in	103
Teams
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2003-2004) Kansas City Royals (2005) Atlanta Braves (2006-present)

Matthew Edward Diaz (Template:PronEng) (born March 3, 1978 in Portland, Oregon) is a Major League Baseball player with the Atlanta Braves. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 1999 amateur draft in the 17th round.

Career

As a two-year starter at Florida State University, Diaz helped lead the Seminoles to two College World Series appearances, including the 1999 title game vs. the University of Miami. He was named the Sporting News Freshman of the Year in 1998, and a First Team All-American (American Baseball Coaches Association, National Baseball College Writers' Association) in 1999.

Diaz with the Braves in June 2008

Diaz in left field Braves in 2008
Photo by Chris Nelson

Despite being among the Devil Rays' minor league career leaders in hits and extra base hits, Diaz had a tough time in the majors, hitting only .167 in 30 at bats in his two years with the Devil Rays. After being released by Tampa Bay, Diaz signed with the Kansas City Royals where he hit .281 with 10 extra base hits (including 1 HR) and 12 RBI in a backup role in 2005.

On December 19, 2005, Diaz was traded to the Atlanta Braves for minor league pitcher Ricardo Rodriguez. Diaz earned a backup outfielder spot for the Braves during spring training. His surprising play in 2006 was one of the few bright spots for the team. Appearing in 124 games, including many starting assignments in the second half of the season, Diaz batted .327 in 297 at bats. On August 14, 2006, Diaz had four hits for the second straight day and tied the National League record with ten straight hits. He grounded out in the 9th inning to end the streak.

Diaz had his first career two-homer game on August 29, 2007, against the Florida Marlins. On September 5, he hit a three-run walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth to give the Braves a a 9-8 win.

Diaz is known for his unorthodox yet highly effective style of hitting. His trademark batting stance includes Diaz stretching his back by leaning backwards before every pitch.

Quotes

• On not being an everyday player: "[A] lot of people would think about the money they're not making if they don't play every day, but we all make enough money."

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs