MLB 2017: Top 10 relievers

Jul 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) reacts after the game ending throw by second baseman Jonathan Schoop (not pictured) in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Los Angeles Angels 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 6, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) throws against the Cleveland Indians during the seventh inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Edwin Diaz, Seattle Mariners

Edwin Diaz is a name that some casual baseball fans may not yet have been introduced to, but that is about to change in a major way. Diaz debuted last season for the Mariners at the age of 22, having barely pitched above the Single-A level. He proceeded to strike out 23 batters in 13.1 innings in his first month in the big leagues. In July, 26 of the 35 outs he recorded came on the strikeout. Nearly 75 percent of his outs for an entire calendar month came on the K.

How does Diaz do it?

Well, there’s this — a 100 mph fastball with late tailing action. Unhittable when he’s right. Diaz backs up the heater with a slider that can approach 90 mph with nasty movement. His slider was swung on and missed at a nearly 35 percent clip last year.

Down the stretch of his rookie year, Diaz did begin running out of steam, which is natural for a rookie who is still getting used to pitching in relief. After averaging 17.3 strikeouts per nine in the first half of the season, he averaged only 14.3 in the second half with an ERA closer to 3.00. There is still some white noise that will level out as Diaz gets a bigger sample size in the big leagues. For example, he pitched to a 3.46 ERA in September last year despite posting his best monthly WHIP by close to half a point. Diaz has a special arm, and will only get better with more years in the big leagues.

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