Marlins prospect Isan Diaz named PCL All-Star

JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Isan Diaz #91 of the Miami Marlins poses for a portrait at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 22, 2018 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Isan Diaz #91 of the Miami Marlins poses for a portrait at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 22, 2018 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Isan Diaz, who is having a banner season for the New Orleans Baby Cakes, was named to the PCL All-Star team, the team announced on Wednesday.

Per the New Orleans Baby Cakes website, second baseman Isan Diaz been named to the 2019 Pacific Coast League All-Star team, the league announced on Wednesday. The Miami Marlins prospect is the only member of the team to make the game.

Diaz is currently the Marlins No. 6 minor league prospect and has torn up opposing pitching consistently this season. The former Milwaukee Brewers farmhand was one of the players packaged together in a deal that sent outfielder Christian Yelich north to the National League Central.

All four of the players involved in the deal – Diaz, outfielders Monte Harrison, and Lewis Brinson and pitcher Jordan Yamamoto – have a chance to become cornerstone players for the Marlins in the future.

"“Diaz was selected as a reserve by hitting .289 with 16 home runs and 47 RBI through 73 games with the ‘Cakes,” the team’s public relations department announced. “His 16 home runs are one behind El Paso’s Luis Urias for the most among PCL middle infielders, and he is tied for second in the league with 61 runs scored while leading the club in hits (76) and doubles (14).”"

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While it appears Diaz is putting together highlight-reel material every night in The Big Easy, he is still awaiting his turn to make the Major League roster. Veteran Starlin Castro is entrenched at second base, but his contract, which pays him $11 million this season and $16 million in 2020, could be the reason the team looks to trade him at the MLB Deadline.

The Marlins cannot afford to hold onto his salary for next season. Castro’s leadership on the field and in the clubhouse is valuable to the growth of this team this season, but changes are coming.

Diaz is the team’s second baseman of the future. The Marlins have done a solid job of securing depth around the middle of the infield. Diaz is one of the players the team is counting on. Joe Dunand, (the No. 23 prospect in the minor league system) who is currently at Double-A Jacksonville and Jose Devers, who is the team’s No. 12 prospect, is part of the mix.

The organization also has Osiris Johnson (No. 11) and Bryson Brigman (No. 24) within their top 30 prospects.

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