Dominican pitcher weighs 334 pounds

Minor league pitcher Jose Diaz could be a lineman in the National Football League. That is if he had grown up in the United States. But as is the case, Diaz is a native of the Dominican Republic, so he was naturally led to baseball.

Diaz is listed at 6'4'' and 300 pounds. But Diaz admitted to the Indianapolis Star that he actually weighs 334 pounds. He throws in the high 90s and says that his size is an advantage as a power pitcher.

"I weigh 334 pounds," Diaz told the Star. "When I went from Double-A to Triple-A, they told me to lose 25-30 pounds, and my fastball went from 98 mph to 93 mph. So I said, 'It's time to put the weight back on."

The Dominican pitcher Diaz has been up and down over six years in the minors, possibly due to the weight loss. Now that he has his weight where he wants it to be, he looks like he could push for some big league time with the Indians. 

He should start the year with the Indians AAA affiliate in Indianapolis. Diaz is from La Romana, Dominican Republic.

Dominican pitcher Jose Diaz