The Minnesota Twins added a fifth member to their undrafted free agent class, Canadian shortstop Willy Diaz Vasquez.
The Minnesota Twins made their first free agent signing in almost ten days when they brought in Willy Diaz Vasquez, a shortstop out of Edmonton, Alberta in Canada. Vasquez is just 18 years old and played prep baseball at Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge, Alberta.
While I thought it was hard to find information about Allante Hall, their is even less about Diaz Vasquez. Here’s the physical basics: Diaz Vasquez is 5’10, short for a baseball player, and is skinny as well, weighing in at only 170 pounds.
We also know about where Diaz Vasquez will play in the future: outfield. Though he played shortstop at Prairie Baseball Academy, he was an outfielder for Team Alberta at the 2017 Canada Games (at only 17).
Diaz Vasquez played well during those games, hitting .300 and helping lead Team Alberta to a Bronze Medal. He showed off his speed, as 6.53 60-yard dash time was the best of anyone in the tournament.
That speed to figures to be his best skill. He’s fast, and while he has some pop for his size, I don’t expect him to be more than a 7 homer type guy (12 at best). He has a decent bat from what information is out there, as that Canada games performance was impressive.
I say all of this while admitting I don’t know very much about him as there is just so little information about him out there. This is an out of nowhere signing, as he definitely could use more polish. That being said, as usual, I trust the Minnesota Twins development team.
That speed will play. The Twins don’t have many burners in the system, so his ability to steal bases will help him stick out. If his hit tool develops as he matures, Diaz Vasquez has an outside shot of making the Minnesota Twins eventually.
Overly-Optimistic MLB Comparison: Delino DeShields Jr., Cleveland Indians
A former first round pick, DeShields Jr. steals 20 bases a season in a fourth outfielder role. Both are short, fast players who fit best as extra outfielders. The ceiling is a season where they hit .275, 7 homers, and steal 25 bases as a key depth guy.