December 21, 2024

New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz should be viewed as a high-end closer in all formats this season. Last summer, Diaz returned from missing the entire 2023 campaign due to a torn ACL. Across 53 ⅔ innings, the right-hander tallied 20 saves while posting a 3.52 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Diaz also missed a period due to a shoulder injury in June and a ten-game suspension in July, which limited his innings count. While this production was a step back compared to his stellar 2022 ratios (1.31 ERA, 0.84 WHIP), Diaz still generated elite metrics that were in line with his career-season two summers ago. Under the hood, Diaz generated a 2.49 xERA and a .166 xBA, placing him in the 98th and 99th percentile last season. In addition, Diaz struck out batters at a 38.9% rate (100th percentile) and allowed a stellar 30.3% hard-hit rate. However, he struggled with his command, posting a 9.3% walk rate, which was below the average marks of qualified pitchers. In 2022, he held a similar .149 xBA, a 7.7% walk rate, and an even higher 38.1% hard-hit rate. Seeing that he tallies strikeouts at an incredible rate, posts elite ratios, and operates as the clear ninth-inning option with little competition, Diaz should be targeted at his current 47.8 ADP on the NFBC as he has a viable path to finish the season with a hefty amount of saves. In addition with Mets acquiring superstar Juan Soto this offseason suggests the team has championship aspirations which should provide Diaz with ample save opportunities all summer.--Andy Smith - RotoBaller