AUBURN - Jonathan Diaz doesn't hit a lot of home runs - he has just one this season. He doesn't have a ton of hits (44) and usually you'll find him batting at the bottom of the lineup.

In fact, if you've attended an Auburn Doubledays home game this season, you probably know him better by his catchy entrance song, “Mi Puerto Rico” by Aventura.

When you think of a Most Valuable Player for the 2006 Doubledays, Diaz probably wouldn't leap to mind.

But he should.

“Diaz has been a solid player all year. He's been worth his accomplishments in the field and he can certainly be an MVP candidate,” Doubledays manager Dennis Holmberg said. “He's got as good of a glove as some of the guys playing in the big leagues. He's been a big part of the success of this ball club. Day in and day out, people have watched him play and have appreciated what he's done out there.”

Diaz has taken the field between second and third base 73 times this year, and he has only gotten better.

No Doubleday has played at a position more times this season than Diaz at short stop, something that he just shrugs off.

“I guess Dennis feels comfortable with me there,” Diaz said.

As well he should. Other than making countless jump-and-turn throws to first base, Diaz has turned seven double plays, which leads the team.

There have also been many times when the score is close late in a game where Diaz will have at least one clutch catch or assist to seal a Doubledays' victory.

“Anticipation is my biggest thing,” Diaz said. “It's like visualizing before the play happens and expecting the ball to come to you every time and being ready for it is key. I think that helps me make the plays that I make.”

With a .200 batting average at the regular season's end, Diaz has had his ups and downs at the plate. But he has been good enough for a .326 on-base percentage, which fits in well with the small-ball playing style that has worked for the Doubledays all season. His 30 walks and 26 RBI have been solid and he has scored 34 times, which ties him for third on the team.

“What he doesn't do at the plate in terms of an RBI or a two-run double, he does in the field to save us defensively,” Holmberg said. “It's a trade-off, he's literally grown up and developed that way and I'm sure he'll continue to do that at the next level and beyond that.”

Another reason that Diaz may be overshadowed is his physical presence. He isn't as hulking as Luke Hopkins or as lanky as 6-foot-2 Adam Calderone. Diaz is listed as 5-foot-8, which he admits may be “generous”, giving him the disadvantage of being the shortest player on the Doubledays roster.

But with a vertical leap like his, his height doesn't exactly hinder his play.

“The position that I'm in at short stop, it doesn't matter with height,” Diaz said. “There are guys shorter than me playing in the bigs. It might be a problem if I were an outfielder or something, but my height doesn't make that big of a difference.”

During this postseason, watch for the leap and listen for the song.

The unassuming standout will undoubtedly make a play that will make a big difference in each game.

Just like he's done all season long.