Robert Valido Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2474
AVG	.238
OBP	.281
SLG	.327
HR	23

Full name Robert Alexander Valido
Born 05/16/1985 in Miami, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Coral Park
Drafted in the 4th round (112th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 2003 (signed for $285,000).

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Valido is part of a rich Coral Park shortstop tradition that also includes 2000's No. 3 overall pick, Luis Montanez. His defensive skills (strong arm, smooth actions, reliable hands) enabled him to hold off Rodriguez. He's the best defensive shortstop in Florida, though not quite in the same class as Robert Andino, a Marlins second-round pick out of a Miami high school last year. Offensively, he can't match Rodriguez' ceiling, but a team that believes Valido will produce at the plate could pop him as early as the second round.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Only the most patient player-development sorts would still consider Valido a prospect, but his defense at shortstop is too strong to overlook, even if he hit himself back into high Class A after opening each of the last two seasons in Double-A. He appeared to have a breakout season with his bat in 2005, but hasn't looked like the same hitter since serving a suspension after a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance. The mention of his name sometimes brings an agonized look from general manager Ken Williams, who had counted on him to be ready to take over for Juan Uribe at shortstop in 2008, but Valido still has supporters in the organization. They point out that he already has the range, arm strength and experience to play shortstop in the big leagues, and that he has a strong work ethic and carries himself like a leader wherever he plays. That won't matter unless he makes major strides with the bat. He developed bad habits while dealing with a wrist injury in 2006 and may have aggravated his problems by experimenting with different stances at the plate. He has plus speed but doesn't get on base enough to use it, and his pop has disappeared since his suspension. Valido will be 22 when the 2008 season begins, and it's probably time to produce or be gone.
Valido headed into 2006 with everything going for him. He ranked No. 7 on this list after hitting .288 with 52 steals in high Class A and turning in a strong performance in the Arizona Fall League. He remained on track to become the White Sox' first homegrown regular at shortstop since Bucky Dent and saw regular time in big league camp last spring as an understudy to Juan Uribe. But once the regular season started, Valido couldn't solve Double- A pitching and missed most of the last three months with hand and wrist injuries. He was a fourth-round pick out of high school, primarily because of his defensive prowess. He has plus range to both sides, hands and arm strength, and some scouts project him as a future Gold Glover. Valido had exceeded offensive expectations before 2006, but Southern League pitchers took advantage of his lack of patience. He makes consistent contact but he has to do a much better job of getting on base so he can use his above-average speed. He lacks power and must focus on working counts, drawing walks and hitting the ball on the ground. Valido drew a 15-game suspension in May 2005 after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, which he blamed on an over-the-counter supplement. He should be healthy in 2007, but he'll still have to prove he can hit advanced pitching.
Valido reached high Class A Winston-Salem before he turned 20, but he made more headlines when he drew a 15-game suspension last May after testing positive for performance-enhancing substances. He came back to set career highs in most categories and finished the year strong in the Arizona Fall League. Valido has the speed and hitting skills to earn top-of-the-order consideration in the future. Defensively, he has the makings of a Gold Glover. He ranges well to both sides and has soft hands and a plus arm. He reduced his errors from 27 in 2004 to 12 in 2005. He has learned to read pitchers and get good jumps, leading the Carolina League in steals while getting caught just five times last year. Valido needs to prove his performance hasn't been the product of steroids. He won't be able to bat leadoff unless he recognizes the value of drawing walks. Juan Uribe is signed for two more years, after which Valido should be ready. He's in position to become the White Sox' first homegrown regular at shortstop since Bucky Dent.
Not many 18-year-old shortstops get a chance to play in a full-season league. Valido was assigned to the low Class A South Atlantic League in his first full year as a pro and held his own against college players and more experienced pros. He stood out in instructional league with his graceful fielding. Valido has a strong arm and soft hands but sometimes tries to force the action, resulting in errors. He makes good contact at the plate and is a skilled bunter. The challenge for him will be to get on base often enough to use his speed as a weapon. He's good enough in the field to project as a future big leaguer but his progress at the plate will determine if he can play every day. He won't ever hit for much power. The White Sox haven't had a homegrown regular as their primary shortstop since they traded Bucky Dent to the Yankees after 1976. Along with Pedro Lopez, Valido has a chance to end the drought. He'll spend this year in high Class A.
Competition will be nothing new for Valido. He had to beat out two other highly regarded prospects, Sean Rodriguez (Anaheim's third-round pick in 2003) and Guillermo Martinez (the White Sox' 17th-rounder, who opted to attend South Alabama) to win the shortstop's job at Coral Park High. The Miami school also produced shortstop Luis Montanez, the No. 3 overall pick in 2000 by the Cubs. Valido is a gifted fielder who has a strong arm, range and soft hands. Scouts and coaches gush about his instincts and his willingness to take coaching, with Jerry Hairston, his manager at Rookie-level Bristol, saying Valido will do anything it takes' to play in the big leagues. Valido lasted until the fourth round of the draft because teams were concerned about his hitting. But he went straight to the Appalachian League and held his own against older players, finishing ninth in the batting race and showing surprising power. He makes good contact but could draw a few more walks. Though his speed is only slightly above average, he was a force on the bases in his pro debut. Valido will compete against older shortstops in spring training to try to win a starting job in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

Several managers referred to Valido as a deserving MVP candidate, though the award went to Daigle, his teammate. "You have guys like Markakis in this league," Rivera said, "but if I could pick a guy I wanted to be at the plate with the game on the line or who the ball was going to be hit to with the game on the line, it's Valido." Known more for his glove than his bat, Valido did all the little things the right way--with the exception of being suspended for 15 games in May after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. He was the best defender in the league, with outstanding range, soft hands and a plus arm. He makes consistent hard contact with a short, compact swing and hits to all fields with occasional gap power. He's an excellent bunter and did a better job of utilizing his speed than in years past, leading the league in steals and triples.
No first-year position player out of high school made a better impression than Valido. A product of Miami's Coral Park High, which also produced the No. 3 overall pick in the 2000 draft (Cubs shortstop Luis Montanez), Valido's instincts and maturity stood out. "He has a knack for being in the right spot all the time," Hairston said. "He knows the nuances of the game and wants to learn. He will do anything it takes to play in the big leagues. The way he goes about his business, there is no doubt that his goal is to get to the major leagues." Valido makes plays in the hole and displays the athleticism that made him an outstanding high school basketball player. He also answered predraft questions about his bat by finishing ninth in the Appy batting race and showing surprising power.