Diaz turning heads early at Tribe camp

GOODYEAR, Ariz -- In Major League camp to soak up as much experience as possible before beginning his Minor League season, Indians shortstop prospect Juan Diaz has manager Terry Francona impressed after the club's first two games.

Diaz has three doubles in his first four at-bats, scored twice and drove a run in. His most noteworthy play, however, came Saturday when the 24-year-old finished off a relay by throwing out a runner at the plate.

"I like the way we executed that, I'd rather see that than him airmail one even if we got the out; he had the right idea there," Francona said. "He kept the ball down but still kept his strong arm in play."

Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing around 200 pounds, Diaz is built more like a corner infielder than a shortstop, but the Indians are pleased with what he has shown them defensively.

"Everybody that has seen him play, certainly more than me, has said he can more than handle himself at shortstop," Francona said. "His height doesn't seem to get in the way for him. He's just a big tall guy and has a cannon for an arm."