|
SCSU's Mike Diaz signs with Astros |
|
|
|
HOUSTON -- A professional baseball career is the next stop for former Southern Connecticut State University shortstop Mike Diaz (Monroe, Conn.). Two days after being selected by the Houston Astros in the 30th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft, Diaz decided to forgo his senior season and inked a deal with the Astros. He leaves SCSU among the all-time leaders in numerous single-season and career categories.
Diaz will likely begin his pro career with the Astros’ Class A New York-Penn League affiliate, the Tri-City Valley Cats. Tri-City plays its home games in Troy, N.Y. at arguably the top facility in the league, Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.
Diaz closes his SCSU career with a .365 batting average (221-for-606). On the Owls’ career lists, he ranks first all-time in triples (16), second in stolen bases (73), third in hits (221) and fifth in at-bats (606). His eight triples in 2008 were a program single-season record.
In addition, Diaz scored 136 runs and smacked 40 doubles, while contributing seven home runs and 93 runs batted in in 146 games.
A three-time All-Conference pick and two-time All-Region honoree, Diaz closed his junior season with All-America honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
He also earned Daktronics, NCBWA and ABCA/Rawlings All-Region honors, as well as All-Conference laurels in 2008.
He finished with the year with 39 stolen bases and eight triples. During the regular season, he led the conference in slugging percentage (.629), runs (53), triples (eight) and stolen bases (38). Diaz also finished tied for second in the NE-10 in walks (107), third in batting average (.412), fourth in on-base percentage (.485), tied for fourth in hits (70) and tied for 10th in doubles (19). He twice hit in 10 or more games in a row, including a 19-game hitting streak from March 21 through April 24.
Diaz was also selected to participate in the New England College Baseball All-Star Game, which will take place at Fenway Park on June 14 at noon. The Southern Connecticut State University baseball team concluded the 2008 season with a 36-19 mark and reached the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the past four years.
|
