Jordan Diaz: Everything you need to know

Diaz signed a contract with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball on Friday. Diaz put together a solid season last year at Triple-A Las Vegas, slashing .301./.362/.529 with 22 homers and 85 RBI across 436 plate appearances. Rather than spend another season in the Athletics' farm system, the 24-year-old infielder will look to further his career overseas, though a return to the States may still be possible if his stock improves while in Japan.

Diaz owns a .281 average and .836 OPS across 272 plate appearances over 66 games with Triple-A Las Vegas this season. Diaz has spent the entire season with the Aviators, and he no longer holds a spot on the Athletics' 40-man roster after being designated for assignment May 23. However, the 23-year-old, who already boasted two very successful stints with Las Vegas during his minor-league career prior to his current Triple-A tenure, has put together a well-rounded line that includes 24 extra-base hits (11 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs), 46 RBI, 25 walks, 38 runs and a respectable 19.5 percent strikeout rate. Given he was able to occasionally hold his own against big-league pitching in each of the last two seasons (.634 OPS, 22 extra-base hits and 28 RBI across 105 games) and his youth, it wouldn't be out of the question for Diaz to be given another look in Oakland before the end of the season, perhaps as a September promotion.

Diaz cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas by the Athletics on Monday. The 23-year-old was jettisoned from Oakland's 40-man roster last week but will remain in the organization as infield depth. Diaz has managed just a .204/.288/.327 batting line over 111 plate appearances with Las Vegas this season.