Yandy Díaz and Randy Arozarena have systematically become the faces of the Tampa Bay Rays, yet both have started the year a little slow at the dish this season. Díaz in his own right is showing signs of snapping out of his funk hitting .278 over the last month.
Last season was a career year for the slugger from Villa Clara, Cuba. Díaz not only won a batting title, but also made the All-Star Game for the first time in his career and even swatted a homerun during the game. But the event that made biggest impact to the first baseman’s life last season was becoming a father.
The Cuban is confident that he will right the ship before the season’s end. For his career the Cuban slugger slashes .286/.375/.429/.804 and has one of the best eyes when it comes to taking pitches at the plate. Díaz also won his first Silver Slugger Award last season.
You are hitting .274 in the last month. What adjustments have you made to your swing?
I think I’ve focused on what I did last year. Everyone knows I haven’t started very well, but I’m trying to do my routine from last year and my performance is going a little better.
You hit a home run in the All Star Game. Tell me the approach you had in that at-bat.
I was just try to hit the ball, you know. I was just trying to make contact with it, and thank God I was able to hit the ball out of the park.
You are the third Cuban to win a batting title in MLB history. How does it make you feel?
Very happy. You know that there are many players, not just Cubans, who have gone through the Major Leagues and have never won a batting title. In the little time I have, thank God I was able to win it last year. That was a pretty big goal for me and I was able to achieve it.
Father’s Day is this month and you just became a father last year. What impact has that had on Yandy Díaz’s life?
A lot. I had always dreamed of being a dad and last year I had that blessing bestowed on me. I hold tremendous pride in having my child and for me it is the greatest blessing a man can have.
Any personal or team goals for the rest of the season?
Personally I just want to be healthy to help the team in any way I can, and collectively, I not only want to reach the World Series but to also win it.