Introducing the No. 10 HS Prospect on Long Island

by Vinny Messana

By the time Marcus Stroman stepped foot in Patchogue-Medford HS, he was already a household name within the inner circles of baseball scouts. He had played varsity as an eighth grader and dominated players much older than him.

Another player, that is 10 years younger, has the type of skillset that can make scouts drool in a similar way.

He has yet to play in a varsity game, but pretty soon everyone will know who his is.

Jason Diaz, a 2019 graduate of Kellenberg, is beginning the year on the JV team but cannot be ignored much longer. Not after touching 87 MPH with his fastball at 14-years-old, and not if he accomplishes his goal that he has set for himself this year.

“I want to make the Team USA 15U team,” said Diaz. “There’s nothing better than representing my country while playing the game I love,” he added.

He began playing the game he loves at the age of 4 and he stated it was the “best decision I’ve ever made”.

Both of his parents are from the Dominican Republic–a hot bed for producing Major League Baseball players. Two iconic players that have ties to the DR are players that he stated he looks up to.

“I look up to Alex Rodriguez and Pedro Martinez. Pedro I look up to because he made something out of nothing. Growing up on the poor and rough parts of the DR and then getting inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame is crazy,” he said.

It was the people closest to Jason, however, that allowed him to become the player he is today–and is still evolving into.

“My older brother David has taught me many things on the field and off the field. Without him I probably wouldn’t be as interested in baseball as I am today.”

David played basketball, baseball and football and he has played a pivotal role in his upbringing.

He also spoke highly of his travel coaches; Frank Pinto, Gary Larkin and Rob McDermott for what they have taught him about the fundamentals of baseball as well as how to conduct himself.

Diaz is regarded as the top-prospect in the class of 2019 due to his current ability and his projectability moving forward. As a freshman in high school, he has plenty of time to develop as a player, but with a fastball that is ALREADY Div-I caliber, he might not have much improving to do to become the type of lights-out pitcher that Long Island has bred over the years.

He might only be ranked No. 10 on this list now, but there’s a good chance he will be soaring up this list in another year or two.

Top 10:

10. Jason Diaz (Kellenberg, ’19)

9. Announced on 4/18

8.  To Be Determined

7. To Be Determined

6. To Be Determined

5. To Be Determined

4. To Be Determined

3. To Be Determined

2. To Be Determined

1. To Be Determined