Derek Diamond

DEREK DIAMOND, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: January 4, 2001
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 200
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 6th Round, 170th Overall, 2022
How Acquired: Draft
College: University of Mississippi
Agent:

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE
The Pirates are gambling that Diamond will revert to the pitcher he was in 2021.  He was ranked 210th by Baseball America and was unranked by MLB.com.  As a sophomore he threw 92-97 mph with an above-average slider.  As a junior his velocity was down to the low-90s or lower and the slider was less effective.  His ERA shot up from 5.26 to 6.89, and his K/9 dropped from 9.80 to 7.85.  He didn’t pitch at all in the College World Series in Omaha in 2022.  Diamond’s control and athleticism are good, but he’s obviously a project.  He signed for exactly the slot amount.

2022
R:  0-0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 4.0 IP, 2.3 BB/9, 9.0 K/9

Diamond got into three games in the FCL.

It’ll be interesting to see whether the Pirates try to develop Diamond as a starter.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2023: Minor league salary
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $311,600
MiLB Debut: 2022
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2028
MLB FA Eligible:
Rule 5 Eligible: 2025
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 5, 2019: Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 40th round, 1202nd overall pick.
July 18, 2022: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 6th round, 170th overall pick; signed on July 24.