The New York Mets are sending four players to the All-Star Game.
Relief pitcher Edwin Diaz, first baseman Pete Alonso, second baseman Jeff McNeil, and outfielder Starling Marte will be in Los Angeles for the festivities.
Alonso will also try to win his third consecutive Home Run Derby, which would be a record for victories in a row.
The slugger discussed several topics with Newsday’s reporter Tim Healey, and one of them was Diaz.
The reliever has been, together with Clay Holmes of the New York Yankees, the best bullpen arm in the league this year.
“Pete Alonso on Edwin Diaz: ‘It’s been awesome to watch him blossom and … make guys look like Little Leaguers out there. He’s been slicing and dicing guys up. He’s been really fun to watch,'” Alonso told Healey.
Pete Alonso on Edwin Diaz: "It’s been awesome to watch him blossom and … make guys look like Little Leaguers out there. He’s been slicing and dicing guys up. He’s been really fun to watch."
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) July 12, 2022
Diaz Has Changed His Pitch Mix And Is Reaping The Benefits
Indeed, Diaz has been making opposing hitters look hopeless with a deadly fastball-slider combo that they can’t touch.
In fact, Diaz has found the recipe for sustained success this year: he has been throwing fewer four-seam fastballs than ever (45.9 percent, according to FanGraphs), but also harder than ever, at 99 mph on average.
He has upped his slider usage to 54.1 percent, and the pitch is truly nasty.
That has been enough to unlock a new level of excellent for Diaz.
In 36.1 innings, he already has 19 saves and projects to finish a little under 40.
More importantly, his 1.73 ERA and his 18.08 strikeouts per nine innings are incredibly impressive, and the two most important numbers in his statistical profile.
As long as he keeps missing bats at that rate, Diaz will keep doing his job with resounding success.
NEXT: Max Scherzer Keeps Climbing Up A Historic All-Time List