SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Rockies told right-handed reliever Jairo Diaz to develop his changeup in the Venezuelan Winter League. Despite fan passion that's common in his home country, Diaz approached games with the cool of an A student doing homework.
"I felt like there was no pressure," said Diaz, who backed up an eye-opening 21 big league games in 2015 by posting a 1.86 ERA with 10 strikeouts and two walks for the Caribes in Venezuela. "I felt confident, so it wasn't hard for me. I think it was pretty good."
The changeup can help lead to a major forward leap for Diaz, who averaged 97.