Matt Diaz

Matt Diaz is a Major League outfielder who currently plays for the Atlanta Braves.

Fast Facts:

1. Birthdate: March 3, 1978
2. Hometown: Portland, Oregon
3. Birth name: Matthew Edward Diaz
4. College: Florida State University
5. Uniform Number: 23
6. Position: Left Field
7. Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Brief Biography

A native of Oregon, Diaz made his mark at Florida State University, where his play for the baseball team earned him Freshman of the Year honors from the Sporting News in 1998. The following year, Diaz was chosen by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the draft, and he made his debut with the team in 2003. However, between 2003 and 2004, Diaz only appeared in fourteen games with the Rays before being released. Diaz then signed with the Kansas City Royals, with whom he played in 34 games in 2005, hitting a respectable .281 over the span. After the season, however, the Royals traded Diaz to the Atlanta Braves, and in 2006, the young player took his game to another level. He hit .327 and played in more major league games than he had in his previous three years combined. Diaz followed up that performance with an even better 2007 season, and going into 2008 he was a player to watch in the future.

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