The San Diego Padres signed catcher Elias Díaz to a minor league deal on Monday. After prolonged struggles, the Colorado Rockies released Díaz a little over a week ago. The veteran drew interest from various teams across the league, but reportedly sought an opportunity that came with playing time.
Padres signing catcher Elias Diaz @DanielAlvarezEE on it
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 27, 2024
In 84 games this year, Díaz hit .270/.315/.378 (89 OPS+) with five homers and 18 doubles. It marked a disappointing follow-up to a breakout 2023, especially in the hitter’s haven Coors Field. That said, San Diego could use improved depth at the catching position.
San Diego Padres Sign Elias Díaz
Kyle Higashioka has claimed the starter role behind the plate due to a breakout season. Known as a defense-first backstop with the New York Yankees, Higashioka has found his power stroke in San Diego. His 15 homers, 42 RBI, and 118 OPS+ are career highs.
Kyle Higashioka has done everything asked and more for this team
Hell of an acquisition
— Padres Nation (@NationPadres) August 24, 2024
Despite his success, it’s fair to expect some regression. Higashioka is not producing good exit velocities and his strikeout and walk rates rank among the worst in the league. Higashioka shouldn’t have to provide great offense for San Diego to make a postseason run. Still, his success this season has certainly helped.
Perhaps the main reason that the Padres decided to sign Díaz stems from the struggles of Luis Campusano. The former top prospect has hit just .231/.274/.373 (81 OPS+) while providing just as little with the glove. Amongst backstops with at least 100 innings behind the plate this season, Campusano ranks second to last with -10 Defensive Runs Saved.
Elias Diaz has more caught stealings this season than Luis Campusano has in his career. https://t.co/xtoxLsWhtE
— Padres Data Daily (@PadresDataDaily) August 27, 2024
Comparatively, Díaz ranks 13th with 5 DRS, while Higashioka is league-average with zero DRS. However, Campusano is the youngest among the trio and features the most upside. The 25-year-old ranked as high as third on San Diego’s top prospect list as recently as 2022. That year, MLB Pipeline listed him as the 44th-best prospect overall in Major League Baseball.
Díaz’s Role with San Diego
However, the Padres signed Díaz as a move to help the team now, not in the future. There is immense pressure on San Diego’s front office to make the postseason this year. Díaz will help the Padres achieve that goal better than Campusano will.
The 33-year-old will likely report to the club’s Triple-A affiliate for a few days to get back into baseball shape. Díaz should then supplant Campusano on the depth chart when San Diego promotes him to the majors. That said, it will be interesting to see if the team carries three backstops in September or demotes Campusano.
Photo Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
