New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz had a season to remember from an individual perspective.
His team couldn’t even get out of the Wild Card round, as they fell to the San Diego Padres in three games.
However, that doesn’t mean Diaz had a bad year.
In fact, he was the best closer in the National League and, together with Cleveland Guardians star Emmanuel Clase, the most dominant reliever in baseball.
Diaz left a minuscule 1.31 ERA in 62 frames in 2022, with an incredible 118 strikeouts against just 18 walks.
There were starters who pitched significantly more than 100 innings who couldn’t get to 118 strikeouts.
Diaz retired half of the hitters he faced via the punchouts, which is absolutely crazy.
Now that he has more time to relax in his native Puerto Rico, Diaz is making sure to spend some quality time with his family.
In fact, he is now supervising and supporting his son as he takes his first steps.
Like Father, Like Son
Like father, like son, they say.
“Back in Puerto Rico for the offseason, Edwin Díaz joined his son Jahel during his first-ever baseball practice,” SNY Mets tweeted, showing an Instagram post made by Nashaly Diaz, Edwin’s wife.
Back in Puerto Rico for the offseason, Edwin Díaz joined his son Jahel during his first-ever baseball practice 🫶
(via IG/nashaly.diaz) pic.twitter.com/6kVy6xcoxh
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) October 18, 2022
Jahel can be seen pitching (left-handed!) and walking with his father with his bag full of bats.
“Jahel had his first baseball practice and I couldn’t be more excited. He was just too happy,” Nashaly wrote in her post.
It looks like baseball runs in the family: Alexis Diaz, Edwin’s brother, is also a quality relief pitcher in MLB.
He plays for the Cincinnati Reds.
Will Jahel pursue a baseball career like his father and his uncle?
It’s way too early to tell, but it’s good to know he was happy with his first taste of the sport.
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