Jose G. Valdez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #21 prospect in 2004
  There's no question the Yankees system is depleted. But if it not for their Latin American scouting department, they would have no depth to speak of. Their willingness to spend freely in the international market certainly aids their efforts, though that shouldn't take away from the foundation set up by Latin American coordinator Carlos Rios. While New York has landed several projectable athletes such as Rudy Guillen, Joaquin Arias and Ferdin Tejeda and Rudy Guillen, they have netted only a few power arms. The most promising is Valdez, though his full-season debut last year was just pedestrian. He didn't register as many 96s on the radar guns and generally was ineffective after the second inning, which ultimately may lead him to the bullpen. His fastball sat at 90-94 mph, and the Yankees believe he could pitch at 96-97 in shorter stints. Valdez has developed a good feel for a splitter but he hasn't developed his slider, allowing hitters to sit dead-red fastball when he falls behind in the count. He has trouble repeating a complicated delivery at times, another indication that his future may be in relief. For now, Valdez will remain in the rotation in high Class A, where he'll try to build stamina and arm strength.
• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #20 prospect in 2003
  Valdez gave the Yankees plenty of reasons to get excited about his Rookie-level performance. When Carlos Rios and Victor Mata signed him for $100,000, he was throwing 87-88 mph and touching 90, showing potential but not distinguishing himself. But Valdez separated himself from the pack, increasing his velocity to 92-94, and he now touches 96-97 with regularity. He has added a nasty splitter to his fastball/slider/changeup combo. Pitching instructors Billy Connors and Steve Webber received a lot of credit for refining his mechanics, though Valdez' delivery is still a little funky and he has trouble repeating it. He dropped his arm slot from high three-quarters to a traditional three-quarters in 2002. His ceiling is the highest of any pitcher in the system, and he could catapult himself into the top 10 after 2003, when he could make his full-season debut.