Cuban slugger Yandy Díaz continues to make waves in the history of the Tampa Bay Rays. With his 16th home run of the 2026 season, the player from Villa Clara hit a milestone on Monday, reaching a total of 115 home runs with the team. This achievement allowed him to surpass Ben Zobrist and claim sole possession of the sixth spot on the franchise's all-time home run list.
According to journalist Francys Romero, the significant home run came during a matchup against the Athletics. Known as "El Caki," Díaz launched a 91.3 mph fastball, sending it 439 feet over the center field wall, with an exit velocity of 109.9 mph.
Prior to this powerful hit, Díaz and Zobrist were tied for the sixth position, each with 114 home runs. Díaz's latest blast broke the tie, positioning him to chase the next target: B.J. Upton, who holds the fifth place with 118 home runs.
With just a three-home-run gap and plenty of season left, Díaz has a realistic chance of ending 2026 among the top five home run hitters in Rays history.
Rays' Historical Home Run Standings
The franchise's historical leaderboard now reads:
- Evan Longoria — 261
- Carlos Peña — 163
- Brandon Lowe — 157
- Aubrey Huff — 128
- B.J. Upton — 118
- Yandy Díaz — 115
This milestone is just one of many during Díaz's stellar 2026 season. In late July, he entered the Rays' history books by recording his 1,000th hit with the franchise, becoming only the fourth player to achieve this feat and the first Cuban to do so.
Earlier in May, Díaz reached his 1,000th career MLB hit, marking another step in his continuously rising career.
This year's success builds on his best home run season in 2025, when he smashed around 23 home runs, and when he reached 100 career MLB home runs in September of that year.
The Tampa Bay organization has shown its faith in Díaz: they signed him to a three-year, $24 million extension in January 2023, and exercised a $12 million option for the 2025 season, with a conditional clause for 2027.
With just three home runs separating him from Upton and several months of competition ahead, "El Caki" has the opportunity to finish 2026 as one of the top five home run hitters in Tampa Bay Rays history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yandy Díaz's Home Run Milestones
Who did Yandy Díaz surpass to take the sixth spot on the Rays' home run list?
Yandy Díaz surpassed Ben Zobrist to take the sixth spot on the Tampa Bay Rays' all-time home run list.
How many more home runs does Díaz need to enter the top five?
Yandy Díaz needs three more home runs to surpass B.J. Upton, who is currently in fifth place with 118 home runs.