Born08/01/1988 in Sabana Palenque, Dominican Republic
ProfileHt.: 6'7" / Wt.: 250 / Bats: R / Throws: R
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The Giants might restrict Valdez from drinking milk. He was listed at 6-foot-5 when he signed, but club officials say he had grown another inch or two by the time instructional league rolled around last fall. With Valdez' youth and size, the Giants have modest plans for him at present: to find a consistent delivery and repeat it. He had trouble repeating his arm slot during the Arizona League season, and his velocity was all over the board. When he's on his fastball is a plus-plus pitch in the mid-90s with good run and sink. Valdez made steady progress throwing competitive pitches, and he's starting to command a curveball. The Giants see him as a starter, and to that end, they hope to teach him a changeup. But that's probably down the road a bit. For now they want him to focus on the catcher's mitt with what he has. Valdez could be a standout in the Arizona League in 2007, and if he develops quickly could earn a ticket to Salem-Keizer.
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