I saw an article the other day where the writer was expressing cautious optimism as to the 2021 prospects of one Edwin Diaz.
I have another take.
I'm wildly optimistic.
After a crazy, crazy COVID 2020 spring, Edwin in 2020 abruptly restarted the season engines in July, and it started out a little wild and shaky for him.
He gave up a very bad HR to the Braves in week one. The fella who hit it turned out to be fairly good in 2020 (notice: understatement alert) with a whopping 56 RBIs in 60 games.
Maybe you'd appreciate that pitcher vs. batter battle better if another hitter who used to drive in runs at that same pace had hit the homer instead - like, oh, say, Babe Ruth or someone like that.
After that setback, Edwin kicked a whole lot of keister.
The rest of 2020, he tossed 23.1 innings, allowing just 16 hits and 5 earned runs, and fanned a pedestrian 45 - I know, yawn.
In a closer-to-normal 2021 spring training, Edwin has so far thrown 3 innings of hitless, walk-less baseball and fanned 5.
So post-Ozuna's opposite field homer, Edwin has tossed 26.1 innings, fanned 50, and allowed 5 runs.
What's the right term for that? Freakin' sensational.
So why does everyone, it seems, always doubt him?
After all, before his BAD 2019, he saved a mere 57 out of 61 games in 2018, which (sarcasm aside) is unparalleled in Mets' history.
Why doubt him? Some of us are conservative-leaning, avoid swagger and bravado, and are skittish about saying something like this:
EDWIN DIAZ IS GONNA BE ABSOLUTELY FRIGGIN' AWESOME IN 2021.
I've had it with COVID trauma and Edwin Diaz 2019 trauma, too.
Edwin is gonna ROCK in 2021.
My advice? Root him on - and if he blows a save in the first week, keep rooting. Why? He might just save his next 50 opportunities.
Manager Luis Rojas knows Edwin has truly electric stuff. So I say this: Trust Sugar in 2021. And please, just for this once: BE OPTIMISTIC. The worst you can be is wrong.
As most of you will remember, I was a fan of the Diaz trade from day one.
ReplyDeleteKelenic has still not cost us one win.
We are way ahead on this trade.
Mack, I cannot disagree - I think Edwin the Beast is back in 2021. Again, 2018, he saved 57 of 61 - WOW - what a save rate.
ReplyDeleteNice piece Tom. I'm optimistic about Diaz, too, especially if he carries over the attitude he's shown this spring into the season
ReplyDeleteCount me in, too. Edwin's troubles have largely been mental, IMO, lack of confidence being primary.
ReplyDeleteAs good as his 2020 #s were, he was shaky at best when entering with runners on base.
In "clean" innings, he was virtually unhittable. The key to 2021 will be either using him only to start an inning or helping him somehow to leave runners stranded.
I wonder if he'll get any runners - on opps in ST.
Like Mack, I did not complain about that trade (much). I do not like to see them trading #1 picks before they are really known quantities, but I was happy with Diaz, and really even Cano at the time. Shedding Bruce and his salary was also a win.
ReplyDeleteAs for Diaz, I believe he is one of the best in the game today. He could end up in Rivera's class before he is done, although they'll need to get to the playoffs and World Series to really show the shine.