RICHMOND HILL’S UNLIKELY ACE

After two years on the bench, Diaz has emerged as one of the best pitchers in Queens
BY ZACHARY BRAZILLER
Even though Edwin Diaz spent his first two years of high school baseball at Richmond Hill on the bench, it was a worthwhile period in his life. Instead of sulking or complaining, he kept his ears open and his eyes on the field.
“I was taking side notes from other pitchers,” he recalled. “What they did in certain tough spots, I learned from that. … Anyone that sits on the bench, you want to be the one playing. It just made me want to try harder, work harder, practice more, get on the mound and throw more.”
Richmond Hill Manager Greg Reo wasn’t expecting much out of Diaz. He wasn’t anything like his more athletic older brother, Ralphy, who played shortstop for Reo, graduating in 2001. Diaz was tall, but un-muscular and awkward. But when he returned for his junior year, the little-used right-hander was nothing like Reo remembered - the uncoordinated bench player had grown into his body and was now throwing harder.
As the Lions’ fourth starter, Diaz had a breakout junior season, going 5-0. But this year’s campaign has been even better. As Reo’s ace, he’s gone 6-1 (all complete games), with a miniscule 1.90 E.R.A.
Far more impressive, the 6-foot-1 Diaz has become the team’s unquestioned leader. The kid who pitched just a single inning his first two years is now the Richmond Hill captain and anchor, the one that everyone else looks up to.
“He’s matured more than I can believe,” said Reo, who credits Diaz with the development of his younger teammates in the rotation like Ian Toro and Robert Santo. “He’s become like a coach.”
Diaz helps the younger pitchers by “giving them confidence, letting them know what they did well, what they did wrong,” he said. “If I see anything in their mechanics I’ll let them know, but [I try to help more] with their mindset. … I’ve learned to speak out more, to be a leader. It’s a part of growing up.”
It’s that mindset, his mound presence, Reo says, that has elevated Diaz, who’s being recruited by the College of Staten Island and the City University of New York, to another level.
With a fastball in the high 70’s, an above average curveball and little-used changeup, Diaz hardly has an overpowering repertoire. He likes to work up in the zone and makes a habit of coming inside. But he gets by on substance and guile, not flash or overpowering stuff.
“I just think its confidence; you can see him on the mound, he expects to win,” Reo said. “Even when we’re losing, he never gets down. He pitches to the game. He never gives up.
“He’s one of those kids that doesn’t impress you the first time you see him,” Reo continued. “But he knows how to pitch.”