2020 proved to be difficult sledding for Tampa Bay Rays infielder Yandy Diaz, as he appeared in just 34 games, and despite hitting .307, and finishing with a .428 on-base percentage, had just five extra-base hits all year. For 2021, Diaz decided to make some significant changes, which have seemed to work out.
“Thank God I feel good,” Diaz said through translator Manny Navarro. “In the offseason, I did a lot more agility, so that I can feel lighter on my feet, and up to this point, I still feel good.”
The 29-year-infielder credits the increased agility to a significant change in his diet, one that has seen him drop over 20 pounds since the end of last season.
Yandy Diaz lost 20 pounds in the offseason, but it appears none of it came from his arms. (screencap by Steve Carney/St. Pete Nine)
“I had to completely change my diet,” Diaz said. “I had to stop eating sweets and sugar. I stopped eating some bread, and I stopped eating so much rice in the mornings and at night. So I completely changed my diet during the offseason.”
The changes have Diaz back around his playing weight from his breakout 2019 season, when he had 35 extra-base hits, including 14 homers, in just 79 games.
“He’s closer to the version of 2019,” manager Kevin Cash said Friday. “I don’t want to speak for Yandy, but I think with the injuries that took place for him, and the lack of timing and the lack of reps and consistency that he didn’t get because of injuries, he got in the mode of ‘how do I survive best?’ And that’s a really tough way to play the game at this level.”
Cash also believes that a healthy Diaz should be able to rebound to the run-producer he was two seasons ago.
“If we can keep him healthy, we’ll see a freer guy at the plate, one that’s willing to take some shots to hit some balls in the gaps, knock the ball out of the ballpark, whatever it takes,” the Rays manager said.
Diaz says that’s the plan.
“If everyone stays healthy, we have another opportunity to do what we did last year,” he said. “We have a good squad, and we want to go to the World Series and not come in second place. We want to win it this time.”