After returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers organization for the 2023 season, Yusniel Díaz has signed a Minor League contract with the San Francisco Giants.
Díaz is a former Dodgers prospect who received a $15.5 million signing bonus during the 2015-16 international signing period. He went on to become one of the organization’s highly-rated prospects and was included in the Dodgers’ trade for Manny Machado in 2018.
The Baltimore Orioles viewed the Cuban outfielder as a centerpiece to their return in order to trade Machado.
Díaz made his MLB debut with the Orioles in 2022, though only logged one plate appearance. He was outrighted and returned to the Dodgers organization on a Minor League contract.
He spent the 2023 Minor League season with Double-A Tulsa, batting .278/.374/.484 with 21 doubles, 16 home runs and 60 RBI over 94 games.
Díaz twice earned Minor League honors as he was named Texas League Player of the Week for August 1-6, and later Player of the Month.
In 26 games during August, Díaz led the Texas League in batting average (.390), hits (39), runs scored (26), home runs (nine), RBI (30), on-base percentage (.488), slugging percentage (.720) and on-base plus slugging (1.208). He also finished second in walks (22) for the month while hitting safely in 24 of 26 games.
Yusniel Díaz’s potential role with San Francisco Giants
Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi has some familiarity with Díaz as their time in the Dodgers organization overlapped.
With the 27-year-old signed to a Minor League contract, he’s not guaranteed a spot on the Giants’ active roster but presumably could earn his way there behind a strong showing. The Giants have multiple needs as they are looking to rebound from a disappointing season.
Under Zaidi, the Giants have taken a similar approach as the Dodgers of looking to bet on talent and upside.
More must-reads: