Luis Valdez — Zoom!

[Frobby]

I’d never paid any attention to Luis Valdez until today, when I noticed that he leads all O’s minor leaguers with 30 stolen bases, in only 49 games.   He’s only been caught stealing four times.  His 30 steals leads the Carolina League.

I’m trying to figure this guy out.   He debuted in the DSL last year at the ripe old age of 21, posting a .333/.420/.441 line but only playing in 35 games.  He swiped 21 bags in those 35 games, getting caught only three times.  

This year, he skipped over the FCL and is playing at Delmarva.   He’s not hitting that well, posting a .234/.326/.314 slash line.  But he’s got a good eye, and once he’s on base — zoom!

Defensively, he plays mostly 2B and CF, but he’s also played a good bit of LF and a bit of 3B and SS.  At 2B, he’s made only one error in 35 games in his short career.   

Anyway, 30 steals in 49 games makes him a fun guy to follow.   Reminds me of Kirvin Moesquit (“The Mosquito”), who stole 49 bases for Delmarva in 2018 but never made it above Hi A.   


 

[RZNJ]

The Frobby jinx is alive and well. After posting about Valdez' prowess on the base paths he was caught on 5 of his next 9 attempts.  Back on track in July with 7 successes in 8 tries.  Better yet, Valdez hit .333 in June and is currently hitting .292 in July and has his overall average up to .268.  Along with Bencosme, probably on the short list to make the jump to Aberdeen next year.

[Tony-OH]

Valdez is old for his league, has zero power, and is absolutely brutal at 2B. He's an org guy at best for me.

[Frobby]

Valdez stole his 50th base of the year tonight, in Delmarva’s 92nd game.  On pace for maybe 75 SB by season’s end.  The Delmarva record is 60, and I believe the MiL organizational record is 81, by Tim Raines Jr. in 1999. 

Edited July 29, 2022 by Frobby

[Tony-OH]

Someone told me he's the fastest guy in the system. Unfortunately doesn't really have a position and has 20 power.

[RZNJ]

12 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Someone told me he's the fastest guy in the system. Unfortunately doesn't really have a position and has 20 power.

What is the definition of 20 power?    He does have 2 homer runs and I know at least one of those went over the wall.   He actually has one from each side of the plate.  I remember seeing the one home run from the left side and it was well struck.   I'm not arguing that he's 10 or 15 home guy but 20 is like ZERO, NOTHING power.    His worst month of the year was in May when he actually showed his best plate discipline and both his homeruns.   Perhaps it's a 20 approach as opposed to no power at all?

He's done much better the last 2 months with what looks like a more slappy approach and no power.

[Frobby]

37 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Someone told me he's the fastest guy in the system. Unfortunately doesn't really have a position and has 20 power.

I don’t look at him as a prospect.  I look at him who is fun to follow and would be fun to see play down in Delmarva.  

[RZNJ]

 

[Frobby]

Luis Valdez is up to his old tricks, stealing his 12th base today in his 23rd game.  Not bad for a guy who was hitting .159 with a .224 OBP.   Imagine how many bases he’d steal if he were actually on base.  

[btdart20]

16 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Luis Valdez is up to his old tricks, stealing his 12th base today in his 23rd game.  Not bad for a guy who was hitting .159 with a .224 OBP.   Imagine how many bases he’d steal if he were actually on base.  

When Billy Hamilton first came up with the Reds, they used him effectively as a pinch runner.  I think that was pre-Universal DH though.

[Dunk35]

Is he our Terrence Gore?

[sportsfan8703]

7 hours ago, Dunk35 said:

Is he our Terrence Gore?

A strong possibility. Good point. 

[Otter]

On 7/30/2022 at 11:57 AM, RZNJ said:

 

For someone who rarely hits home runs, he certainly has the swagger like he does...

[luismatos4prez]

3!!! OF assists today. Can't remember the last time I saw that.

It's too bad this guy can't hit, he seems like he'd be a fun player to watch. 43/48 SB this year.

[RZNJ]

39 minutes ago, luismatos4prez said:

3!!! OF assists today. Can't remember the last time I saw that.

It's too bad this guy can't hit, he seems like he'd be a fun player to watch. 43/48 SB this year.

Did you notice that Elio Prado had 3 as well.   I don’t recall seeing one OF with 3, let alone two different outfielders, especially with one team, each have 3.