{{short description|American baseball player (born 1978)}} {{for|the U.S. Navy officer|Matthew Diaz}} {{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography | name = Matt Diaz | image = Matt Diaz 2012.jpg | caption = Diaz with the Atlanta Braves | position = Outfielder | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|3|3}} | birth_place = Portland, Oregon, U.S. | bats = Right | throws = Right |debutleague = MLB | debutdate = July 19 | debutyear = 2003 | debutteam = Tampa Bay Devil Rays |finalleague = MLB | finaldate = May 18 | finalyear = 2013 | finalteam = Miami Marlins |statleague = MLB | stat1label = Batting average | stat1value = .290 | stat2label = Home runs | stat2value = 45 | stat3label = Runs batted in | stat3value = 226 | teams = *Tampa Bay Devil Rays ({{mlby|2003}}–{{mlby|2004}}) *Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2005}}) *Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2006}}–{{mlby|2010}}) *Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2011}}) *Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2011}}–{{mlby|2012}}) *Miami Marlins ({{mlby|2013}}) }} '''Matthew Edward Diaz''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|aɪ|.|æ|z}} {{respell|DEYE|az}};<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robbins |first=Josh |date=2010-02-27 |title=Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox prepares to close a historic career |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2010/02/27/atlanta-braves-manager-bobby-cox-prepares-to-close-a-historic-career/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=Orlando Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref> born March 3, 1978) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Miami Marlins.
==Amateur career== As a two-year starter at Florida State University, Diaz helped lead the Seminoles to two College World Series appearances, including the {{By|1999}} title game vs. the University of Miami. He was named the Sporting News man of the Year in {{By|1998}}, and a First Team All-American (American Baseball Coaches Association, National Baseball College Writers' Association) in 1999.
==Professional career== ===Tampa Bay Devil Rays=== Diaz was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 1999 Major League Baseball draft in the 17th round (505th overall).
Diaz made four appearances for the Devil Rays during his rookie campaign in 2003, going 1-for-9 (.111) with one walk.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matt Diaz 2003 batting Stats Per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5595/year/2003/category/batting|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}</ref> He made 10 appearances for Tampa Bay during the 2004 season, going 4-for-21 (.190) with one home run, three RBI, and one walk.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matt Diaz 2004 batting Stats Per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5595/year/2004/category/batting|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}</ref> Despite being among the Devil Rays' minor league career leaders in hits and extra base hits, Diaz had a tough time in the majors, hitting only .167 in 30 at-bats in his two years with the Devil Rays.
===Kansas City Royals=== After being released by Tampa Bay, Diaz signed with the Kansas City Royals, where he hit .281/.323/.404 with 10 extra base hits (including one home run) and 12 RBI across 34 games in a backup role in {{mlby|2005}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matt Diaz 2005 batting Stats Per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5595/year/2005/category/batting|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}</ref>
===Atlanta Braves=== On December 19, 2005, Diaz was traded to the Atlanta Braves for minor league pitcher [https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig006ric Ricardo Rodríguez]. Diaz earned a backup outfielder spot for the Braves during spring training. On August 14, 2006, Diaz had four hits for the second straight day and tied the National League record with ten straight hits. He grounded out in the 9th inning to end the streak. Diaz made 124 appearances for Atlanta during his inaugural campaign with the team, slashing .327/.364/.475 with seven home runs, 32 RBI, and five stolen bases.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matt Diaz 2006 batting Stats Per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5595/year/2006/category/batting|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}</ref>
Diaz had his first career two-homer game on August 29, {{mlby|2007}}, against the Florida Marlins. On September 5, he hit a three-run walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth to give the Braves a 9-8 win. Diaz made 135 appearances for the Braves during the regular season, hitting .338/.368/.497 with 12 home runs, 45 RBI, and four stolen bases.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matt Diaz 2007 batting Stats Per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5595/year/2007/category/batting|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}</ref>
Diaz played in 43 games for Atlanta in 2008, hitting .244/.264/.304 with two home runs, 14 RBI, and four stolen bases.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matt Diaz 2008 batting Stats Per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5595/year/2008/category/batting|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}</ref> Appearing in 125 games for the team in 2009, Diaz set new career-highs in home runs (13), RBI (58), and stolen bases (12), while posting a .313/.390/.488 batting line.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matt Diaz 2009 batting Stats Per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5595/year/2009/category/batting|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}</ref>
In a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, with Jayson Werth batting, a field invader was captured by stadium security after a body block from Diaz enabled security to catch the invader. He made 84 appearances for the team during the season, slashing .250/.302/.438 with seven home runs, 31 RBI, and three stolen bases.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matt Diaz 2010 batting Stats Per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5595/year/2010/category/batting|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}</ref>
===Pittsburgh Pirates=== left|thumb|Matt Diaz hitting against the Houston Astros On December 8, 2010, Diaz agreed to a two-year, $4.25 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kovacevic |first=Dejan |date=December 8, 2010 |title=Pirates reach deal with free-agent outfielder Diaz |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2010/12/08/Pirates-reach-deal-with-free-agent-outfielder-Diaz/stories/201012080229 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912163911/http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/breaking/pirates-reach-deal-with-free-agent-outfielder-diaz-276625/ |archive-date=2012-09-12 |access-date=2025-02-08 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}}</ref> Diaz made 100 appearances for the Pirates during the 2011 season, batting .259/.303/.324 with 19 RBI and four stolen bases.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matt Diaz 2011 batting Stats Per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5595/year/2011/category/batting|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}</ref>
===Atlanta Braves (second stint)=== thumb|right|Diaz signing autographs in 2012 On August 31, 2011, Diaz (along with cash) was traded back to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for a player to be named later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dierkes |first=Tim |date=2011-08-31 |title=Braves Acquire Matt Diaz |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/braves-acquire-matt-diaz.html |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> On September 20, Eliecer Cardenas was traded to Pittsburgh to complete the trade.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pirates Acquire Eliecer Cardenas|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/09/pirates-acquire-eliecer-cardenas.html|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> In 16 games for Atlanta, Diaz went 10-for-35 (.286) with one RBI and one stolen base.
On August 13, 2012, the Braves announced that Diaz would have surgery on his thumb and would miss the remainder of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matt Diaz to undergo season-ending thumb surgery|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/matt-diaz-to-undergo-season-ending-thumb-surgery|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=nbcsports.com|language=en}}</ref> In 51 games for the team, he hit .222/.280/.333 with two home runs and 13 RBI.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matt Diaz 2012 batting Stats Per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5595/year/2012/category/batting|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}</ref>
===Miami Marlins=== On December 26, 2012, Diaz signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees that included an invitation to spring training.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marchand |first=Andrew |date=2012-12-27 |title=Yankees sign Matt Diaz |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/47972/yankees-sign-matt-diaz |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> He was released prior to the start of the regular season on March 17, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jennings |first=Chad |date=2013-03-17 |title=Sunday morning notes: Diaz released from Yankees camp |url=http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2013/03/17/sunday-morning-notes-diaz-released-from-yankees-camp/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319173250/http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2013/03/17/sunday-morning-notes-diaz-released-from-yankees-camp/ |archive-date=2013-03-19 |website=USA Today}}</ref>
On March 25, 2013, Diaz signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins organization.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Marlins To Sign Matt Diaz|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/03/marlins-to-sign-matt-diaz.html|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> Diaz was promoted to the major leagues from their Triple-A affiliate, the New Orleans Zephyrs, on May 2.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/marlins-recall-inf-adeiny-hechavarria-of-matt-diaz/2013/05/02/328298c4-b388-11e2-9fb1-62de9581c946_story.html|title=Marlins recall INF Adeiny Hechavarria, OF Matt Diaz|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 2, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013}} {{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In 10 appearances for Miami, he went 3-for-18 (.167) with one RBI and one walk.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matt Diaz 2013 batting Stats Per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5595/year/2013/category/batting|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}</ref>
On February 4, 2014, Diaz announced his retirement from professional baseball.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-04 |title=What's next? |url=http://mattediaz.blogspot.com/2014/02/whats-next.html?m=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306213435/http://mattediaz.blogspot.com/2014/02/whats-next.html?m=1 |archive-date=2014-03-06 |website=Longer Thoughts by MattE Diaz}}</ref>
==Post-playing career== On April 24, 2014, Diaz joined the Braves' pre-game and postgame telecast of Braves Live on Fox Sports South, which he will do regularly for the 2014 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 April 2014 |title=Former Braves outfielder Matt Diaz joining Braves LIVE |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/former-braves-outfielder-matt-diaz-joining-braves-live |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=FOX Sports}}</ref> Diaz also does work for MLB Network Radio.
==Personal life== A born-again Christian, Diaz and his wife Leslee have three kids, Nathan Everett, Anna Grace, and Matthew Jacob. Matt is the second oldest of four brothers: Zachary, contemporary Christian singer Jonny Diaz, and Benjamin. His surname has an Anglicized pronunciation which originated with his grandfather who had emigrated from Barcelona. He grew up in Lakeland, Florida.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} {{baseballstats|mlb=429841|espn=5595|br=d/diazma02|fangraphs=1771|brm=diaz--001mat}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Diaz, Matt}} Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:Tampa Bay Devil Rays players Category:Kansas City Royals players Category:Atlanta Braves players Category:Pittsburgh Pirates players Category:Miami Marlins players Category:Arizona League Royals players Category:Baseball players from Portland, Oregon Category:Bakersfield Blaze players Category:Durham Bulls players Category:Florida State Seminoles baseball players Category:Gwinnett Braves players Category:Hudson Valley Renegades players Category:Major League Baseball left fielders Category:Mississippi Braves players Category:Omaha Royals players Category:Orlando Rays players Category:Baseball players from Lakeland, Florida Category:Baseball players from St. Petersburg, Florida Category:Richmond Braves players Category:Baseball players from Atlanta Category:Baseball players from Tampa, Florida Category:St. Petersburg Devil Rays players Category:Wichita Wranglers players Category:New Orleans Zephyrs players Category:American people of Spanish descent