That's What Cheesehead: 36.53 - Diaz Claims Marco Award

[7teen]

He goes down as one of those unheralded guys on a roster. A guy who doesn't get the fancy stats and therefore goes relatively unknown. But to Madison Wolves fans, the name Hector Diaz (10/3/9 Ratings) is well-known.

Diaz is the innings eater out of the bullpen. And by innings eater we mean he's effective. He's not the whipping boy that goes in in blow outs just to save pitching. He's the guy that goes in when the Wolves have a lead but need to go to the bullpen early and need a guy to throw 2-3 innings. In fact, Diaz pitched in 96.1 innings this season in relief. "Oh he'd be well known across the league probably if he pitched in Brooklyn" said Wolves manager Millard Davis. "But here, he's just the ultimate pro who does his job very well."

Diaz hada 3.83 ERA this season over those 96.1 innings which came over just 47 games appeared in. He struck out 111 guys over that span which helped lead to a teaming leading 1.5 WAR out of the Wolves bullpen. Diaz's success this season, and in all seasons, has been his low walk rate. This season he walked just 15 batters. That low total allowed him to have a WHIP of just 0.96, the lowest on the staff.

What hurt Diaz this season is the frequency in which he allows a homerun. He allowed 1 more homerun this season than he allowed walk (16:15). This season, he allowed more homeruns this year than any other year in his career. "I also pitched more innings this year" added Diaz.

Also up for consideration for the award were Sean Spits (10/5/5 Ratings) who led the team in saves with 36 and Harold Lane (9/4/8 Ratings) who was second in the bullpen with a 1.2 WAR.

[Lane]

I like that you're getting really good results out of these low MOV guys.

[7teen]

I like that you're getting really good results out of these low MOV guys.

It's given me hope that Axel DeGuisti can be effective in the BBA also. Though I'm yet to find a starter who can be successful with that MO but he's had some minor league success coming up. Good stuff, good control. Throws hard. 3 great pitches. He'll probably get a shot next season.

[Lane]

I like that you're getting really good results out of these low MOV guys.

It's given me hope that Axel DeGuisti can be effective in the BBA also. Though I'm yet to find a starter who can be successful with that MO but he's had some minor league success coming up. Good stuff, good control. Throws hard. 3 great pitches. He'll probably get a shot next season.

gotta imagine it's a tougher road as a starter by why not give it a shot? at the very least I think you've shown that he can work out of the pen

[RonCo]

It helps that the Wolves' park depresses homers, but his road split is exhibit 98 that low movement by itself is not an absolute killer.