Matt Diorio

MATT DIORIO, CORNER OUTFIELDER
Born: July 24, 1995
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 195
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Drafted: 16th Round, 495th Overall, 2016
How Acquired: Draft
College: University of Central Florida
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Diorio had a good sophomore season, putting up a 308/429/476 line.  He missed 23 games with a hand injury as a junior.  The injury may have affected his hitting, as he batted only 279/373/397.  Diorio had good walk rates, but also struck out a lot — 48 times in 143 ABs as a sophomore and 28 in 136 ABs as a junior — without producing very much power.  He saw some time behind the plate, but the Pirates announced him as a right fielder.  Diorio signed quickly after the draft.

2016
A-:  215/329/306, 121 AB, 5 2B, 2 HR, 19 BB, 35 K, 0-1 SB

Diorio mostly struggled at Morgantown, striking out a lot.  He did draw a lot of walks.  His playing time started dropping in August and he had a rough month, going 3-for-32.  He had only a small platoon split, but he didn’t hit anybody well.  He played in the outfield corners, mostly right.

2017
R+:  265/392/419, 136 AB, 12 2B, 3 HR, 26 BB, 31 K, 3-5 SB
A-:  143/250/286, 14 AB, 1 3B, 1 BB, 3 K

Diorio started the season at Morgantown but, after four games, the Pirates sent him down to Bristol.  That obviously wasn’t a good sign and probably was triggered by the fact that the Pirates went heavily for college outfielders in the 2017 draft.  Diorio was sent down after they started joining the team.  He played semi-regularly at Bristol, splitting his time between left field and DH.  He hit fairly well there, but you’d expect that given the level and the fact that he was demoted.  The team didn’t play Diorio much against LHPs and he struggled when he faced them, going 3-for-35.

Diorio went in the wrong direction in 2017 and he now has a bunch of college hitters ahead of him on the depth chart, all of whom hit better at Morgantown than he did.  There also may be several 2017 prep draftees and a couple of Latin American signees, all of whom play the outfield, moving up from the GCL, so Diorio may have trouble finding playing time.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2018: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $100,000
MiLB Debut: 2016
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2022
MLB FA Eligible:
Rule 5 Eligible: 2019
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 11, 2016: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 16th round, 495th overall pick; signed on June 15.