On May 9, 2023, Diaz clubbed three home runs in a game as the Athletics lost to the Yankees. He was just 22 at the time and had mashed in the minors the previous few years, so there was reason to believe Diaz could just be getting started. Instead, the now 24-year-old posted a .593 OPS the rest of the way that year before spending all of 2024 in the minors and being removed from the 40-man roster. Diaz did slash .301/.362/.529 at Triple-A Las Vegas last season, but, given the very favorable offensive environment and the fact it was his third stint there, the numbers should be taken with a grain of salt. With his future stateside appearing cloudy at best, Diaz elected to continue his career in Japan and signed with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball in January. Read Past Outlooks