Can Jonathan Diaz stick?

CHRIS · April 2, 2014

I don't know why, but stashing Diaz and Goins and their theoretical plus defense at the bottom of the lineup with a top 7 like last night I'm okay with. When Thole is in there, I feel awful about it.

In summary, I don't think I like Thole very much.

TheHurl · April 2, 2014

Need angrioter's input on this

He's all for his brothers impregnating Puerto Rican women. As long as there is no Cuban bloodlines of course

Olerud363 · April 2, 2014

Clearly the organization thinks infielder Jonathan Diaz is an even better defender than infielder Ryan Goins, since they have Jonathan Diaz at the shortstop position tonight with Ryan Goins at the less difficult second base position.

I was really impressed with that RBI 1B single to centre field at bat against the tough RHP Alex Cobb.

And I was equally impressed by the heads up baserunning stolen base of second base to get into run scoring position for Melky Cabrera.

Also of note is that he's played ~4 innings without pulling a hamstring, so he's better than infielder Jose Reyes in that respect at least.

I know this seems like a troll but I'm being serious, so please don't erase this thread, mods.

Actually a seriously great topic.

I checked his stats yesterday and assumed at first the on base and slugging collumns were mixed up. But no. He has posted .358 career on base with a .297 slugging. Insane.

The dogma is that this type of player doesn't translate well to the majors because pitchers will throw him strikes. But the projection system have his mlb line something like .230 .320 .300.

So if the projection can be trusted I think his offense is actually a bit better then Goins. If the Jays can be trusted maybe his D is better too?? Or maybe they just want Goins to be comfortable at second.

G-Snarls · April 2, 2014

I don't know why, but stashing Diaz and Goins and their theoretical plus defense at the bottom of the lineup with a top 7 like last night I'm okay with. When Thole is in there, I feel awful about it.

In summary, I don't think I like Thole very much.

Thole is terrible and shouldn't be on the team

We have TWO better catchers (which is saying something because neither are exactly all star caliber)

G-Snarls · April 2, 2014

He's all for his brothers impregnating Puerto Rican women.

This is what I was presuming. LOL

Sammy225 · April 2, 2014

I think the question should be that when Reyes comes back and if Diaz is out playing Goins...... Who do they send down?

eastcoastjaysfan · April 2, 2014

I think the question should be that when Reyes comes back and if Diaz is out playing Goins...... Who do they send down?

Diaz obviously. Goins is a part of their plan. Diaz is a bandaid option.

Angrioter · April 2, 2014

Diaz obviously. Goins is a part of their plan. Diaz is a bandaid option.

Wally Pipp and Lou Gehrig?

We never know!!

Kingvikingstad · April 2, 2014

Apparently Diaz is the leader in a new advanced-statistical category called Z-Aid.

As per Sabremetrics, Z-Aid is the formulaic expression of being a s*** f***ing hitter in the minors and god-like hitting in the majors.

s*** f***ing hitter in MiLB

_______________________ = High Z-Aid

Hitting god in MLB

s*** f***ing hitter in MiLB

______________________ = Low Z-Aid

s*** f***ing hitter in MLB

Hitting God in MiLB

_____________________ = JPA Syndrome

s*** f***ing hitter in MLB

Angrioter · April 2, 2014

Apparently Diaz is the leader in a new advanced-statistical category called Z-Aid.

As per Sabremetrics, Z-Aid is the formulaic expression of being a s*** f***ing hitter in the minors and god-like hitting in the majors.

s*** f***ing hitter in MiLB
_______________________ = High Z-Aid

Hitting god in MLB

s*** f***ing hitter in MiLB
______________________ = Low Z-Aid

s*** f***ing hitter in MLB

Hitting God in MiLB
_____________________ = JPA Syndrome

s*** f***ing hitter in MLB

Where Goins fit?

8D · April 2, 2014

So wait a minute... You meant to tell me that Goins' defensive reputation is basically based entirely on last year's sample? That all this time that he's been playing shortstop in the minors he was just adequate? I thought his reputation was at least a much based on excellent shortstop play in the minors not just on his excellent play when he was converted to 2B last year. This is pretty pathetic if true. I thought at the very least Goins could was a good defensive assett at both middle infield positions. Turns out that may not even be true? He's just an average shortstop that stood on his head in a small 2B sample last year. Well that's just peaches. Really glad the team is committed to him.

Yeah, I remember Buck saying near the end of the broadcast how the Jays brass preferred Goins @ 2B because he was decent/solid @ SS, but exceptional at 2B.

TBH, I don't know much about either Diaz or Goins. I just know they are glove first, and really, glove-only infielders.

But this team and organization sure instills confidence in the fans!! OH YEAAAHHHHHH

And s***, they both look great defensively. I don't have a huge problem with one of them in the lineup seeing if they can survive at the plate in the majors. (though I still think we should have acquired a legit 2B to be the regular there, and have one of these 2 as backup for that person and Reyes)

The big problem is having two of them in the lineup for extended periods of time. That could really hurt.

Agreed on all points.

AdamGreenwood · April 2, 2014

I was actually surprised that they kept Goins instead of Kawasaki.

I have to think that some of the more reserved players (read: Bautista) secretly complained to management that Kawasaki made things feel like a gong show.

G-Snarls · April 3, 2014

So... he might stick?

CHRIS · April 3, 2014

I like that they haven't just given Goins a Thames-esque lock on a roster spot; assuming this isn't just random AA babble.

Caper · April 3, 2014

Diaz made a couple of plays that I don't think Reyes makes last night.... and that could have been the difference... though we might have had more then 3 runs.

Caper · April 3, 2014

So... he might stick?

He may in fact stick.... as it should be.... the other thing is. would the team be better off with Reyes at 2nd?

Caper · April 3, 2014

Who is more likely to get ID'd at the liquor store. Diaz or Navarro?

G-Snarls · April 3, 2014

He may in fact stick.... as it should be.... the other thing is. would the team be better off with Reyes at 2nd?

Possibly. Possibly. But they would never do that to superstar veteran player, for a rookie, at this point of the season.

G-Snarls · April 3, 2014

Barring a major turn of events. When Reyes gets back I would like to see

Diaz kept (if he looks better at the plate than Goins)

Thole optioned to AAA, Kratz kept

flafson · April 3, 2014

Who is more likely to get ID'd at the liquor store. Diaz or Navarro?

Diaz has a baby face and Navarro has a Eric Cartman.

eastcoastjaysfan · April 3, 2014

Quite impressed with Diaz' defense. He deserves some credit for his performance so far.

KingKat · April 3, 2014

Is there anything Goins can do that Diaz can't? They're both all glove players but Diaz can reportedly play a better SS. It seems unlikely that he would also be a worse 2B.

AA has literally said that the reason Goins had the inside track on the 2B job was that he had it to end last season. That's not much of a reason to keep him there. If Diaz can be a better backup to Reyes while also providing no worse value at 2B, it's kind of a no-brainer for him to move up the depth chart.

KingKat · April 3, 2014

Another interesting note about Diaz is that he's the only right-handed middle infielder the Jays have. Maicer is a switch hitter and Goins, Kawasaki, Goins and Getz are all lefties. Something like a Diaz/Kawasaki platoon would probably provide the best balance of offensive and defensive value from 2B.

Caper · April 3, 2014

Either one... I just want elite D.... at second if we have to have sub-par d at short with Reyes.

G-Snarls · April 3, 2014

Is there anything Goins can do that Diaz can't?.

That is EXACTLY the question that AA and Gibby need to ask themselves.

Neither are good all around players. But if the defense is good from both, I'll go with the guy who looks more promising at the plate. Obviously nowhere near 100% sure yet but I think it MIGHT be Diaz.

saskjayfan · April 3, 2014

That is EXACTLY the question that AA and Gibby need to ask themselves.

Neither are good all around players. But if the defense is good from both, I'll go with the guy who looks more promising at the plate. Obviously nowhere near 100% sure yet but I think it MIGHT be Diaz.

Diaz is little....he really has no upside with the bat. He's fine as a defensive replacement. Goins actually has a decent swing if you break it down to the angles he creates and he has more power than diaz for sure. Goins' swings remind me of JPA though. He swings at everything and doesn't eliminate pitches or work himself into counts where he could succeed. I have no idea if he can improve on this. Some guys just don't have the eye and don't pick up the baseball like others can. Time will tell. I'd go sign drew for a year and see if Goins can develop.

mitchf · April 3, 2014

Nice little player, however it's way too f***ing early to know anything about anyone.

GD · April 3, 2014

I can assume that two of Maicer/Diaz/Goins will be kept up, which means that one of them will be gone, and they're all replacement level so I really don't care either way.