# Yandy Díaz leads American League batting with .332 average

**Date:** 06/26/2026

Cuban infielder Yandy Díaz kept his torrid pace going on Thursday, June 25, 2026, collecting four hits as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Kansas City Royals 5-3, lifting his batting average to .332 — the highest in the American League and third in all of Major League Baseball. According to baseball journalist Francys Romero, it was the 12th time in his career that Díaz recorded four hits in a single game, ranking him second in Tampa Bay Rays franchise history for most such performances, trailing only Aubrey Huff. The Villa Clara native, born in Sagua la Grande on August 8, 1991, is in his 10th season in the Major Leagues in 2026, carrying a career average of .294. Among active players, only Yordan Álvarez surpasses him in lifetime batting average. Among Cuban-born players with 10 or more seasons in the majors, only two Hall of Famers rank above him: Cristóbal Torriente (.339) and Tony Oliva (.304). Díaz is one of the elite contact hitters Cuba has produced in professional baseball in recent decades. His ability to consistently make contact and read pitches makes him a constant threat for opposing pitchers. The Tampa Bay Rays rely heavily on Díaz at the top of their lineup, and his 2026 performance once again positions him as a strong All-Star candidate.