Eric Valent

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #19 prospect in 2003
  Valent played with Troy Glaus, Jim Parque and Eric Byrnes at UCLA, where he broke Glaus' career home run record. A player with Valent's talents might have ranked as the Phillies' top prospect five years ago. Instead, he has become a victim of the organization's depth, especially in the outfield. He spent time in Philadelphia in 2001, when he was promoted to serve as a DH during interleague play, but struggled and hasn't been back since. He got off to a slow start in 2002 spring training, which prevented him from making the big league roster, and it carried over into the beginning of the season. By the time Valent got things going again, Jason Michaels had usurped his spot as Philadelphia's fifth outfielder. While Valent might never hit for a high average, he always has been a run producer. He tied for fourth in the International League with in 84 RBIs, the fourth straight season in which he drove in at least 79 runs. He has quick hands and above-average power to drive balls into the gaps and over fences. Defensively, Valent rates as the best outfielder in the system and also boasts the best arm. With the ability to become a solid major league corner outfielder, Valent could serve as trade fodder as Philadelphia searches for the final pieces to put a winner in place.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #8 prospect in 2002
  Valent, who broke Troy Glaus' career home run record at UCLA, got his first opportunity in Philadelphia in 2001. After collecting hits in four of his first five games, he went hitless for the rest of the season. He was leading the International League in RBIs when he was called up. Valent is a solid major league corner outfielder with right-field arm strength and accuracy. He generates above-average pull power with quick hands and hips. Valent hits hard line drives from alley to alley against both lefties and righties. Prior to his big league callup, Valent was able to avoid the peaks and valleys that had led to his label as a streak hitter. After spending time on the Phillies' bench, he took a while to get back into gear in Triple-A. His swing tends to get long when he's trying to do too much at the plate. Valent could be a victim of the organization's outfield depth. He played 27 games at first base and has the potential to be a potent bat off the bench if he isn't dangled in a trade.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #8 prospect in 2001
  Valent broke Troy Glaus' home run record at UCLA, but won't approach his power exploits in the majors. Valent was drafted with the compensation pick the Phillies received for failing to sign J.D. Drew in 1997. He finished third in the Eastern League in home runs and RBIs en route to earning recognition as the loop's sixth-best prospect. Valent's 30-point decline in average from 1999 to 2000 isn't a major concern because of his excellent plate discipline. Dating back to college, he has shown a knack for driving in runs. His intensity and solid makeup also will work to his advantage in the upper levels. His arm is one of the best in the organization, and he displays good all-around skills in right field. Valent hit just .238 from July on last year. He has been prone to peaks and valleys and can become too pull conscious at times, compounding his slumps. He's no more than an average runner. Entering his third full season, Valent will have to turn up his offensive production a notch and make the adjustments to avoid stagnating in Triple-A. With Bobby Abreu in Philadelphia, Valent projects as a left fielder in the majors.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #4 prospect in 1999
  Background: Valent has been a fixture on U.S. national teams since he was a junior in high school. He broke Angels prospect Troy Glaus' career home run record at UCLA, including 30 in 1998, and had one of the most impressive debuts in the 1998 draft class. Strengths: Most hitters are better with aluminum bats than wood, but Valent may be the exception. He was overly pull-conscious in college, but the heavier wood bat forced him to hit to the opposite field and make better use of his mechanics. The Phillies feel he is a pure ballplayer with plus-plus makeup. Weaknesses: Valent has played center field in the past but is more suited on the corners. He'll probably be slotted in right field, where his arm is slightly above average. He is a below average runner and not a threat on the bases. The Future: The Phillies admit they may have bumped Valent up quicker than they planned. but he gave them no choice when he overmatched the South Atlantic League. Valent originally drew attention as the compensation pick for not signing J.D. Drew. Now he's making a name for himself.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked International League #16 prospect in 2001
  Though Valent is an above-average outfielder with a strong arm, he's not going to stick in the major leagues simply because of his glove. Nor is he going to stay there because of a high batting average or an ability to steal bases. If Valent is going to play regularly in the majors--and it may be tough to budge Pat Burrell or Bobby Abreu from one of Philadelphia's outfield corners--it will be because he has a knack for driving in runs. He has 327 RBIs in 425 minor league games, the equivalent of 125 in a 162-game season. Valent had just four hits in his first 41 major league at-bats, but IL managers believe he'll make the necessary adjustments to hit major league pitching. "Even though he didn't hit the first time around, he's a young kid and keep an eye on him," Malave said. "When he gets his feet on the ground, he'll stay there a long time."
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  Ranked Eastern League #6 prospect in 2000
  Early in the season, Valent joked about his stature among Philadelphia's top prospects. He was, he insisted, no Pat Burrell. Yet his game played very well this season in Reading, where he replaced Burrell as the cog of the offense. Valent has power, both to the gaps and over the fence. He drives in runs, draws walks and should hit for a better average with more experience. Managers love his makeup and he’s also quite impressive in right field, with Sisson describing Valent’s arm as a weapon. "He's a type of player like B.J. Surhoff," said Etchebarren. "He can do everything pretty good, but nothing great. But there's nothing wrong with that, because Surhoff's a pretty good player." "He's an above-average outfielder for a guy who can't run," Varsho said with a smile. "He makes outfield play look very easy. Because of that, he's turned himself into a terrific all-around prospect, even though his average is .258. With his 22 home runs, his RBIs, he's a run producer. He's going to have his peaks and valleys. When he peaks, he's hot. When he goes into that valley, it's a very deep valley. His consistency is what we're looking for."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Early in the season, Valent joked about his stature among Philadelphia's top prospects. He was, he insisted, no Pat Burrell. Yet his game played very well this season in Reading, where he replaced Burrell as the cog of the offense. Valent has power, both to the gaps and over the fence. He drives in runs, draws walks and should hit for a better average with more experience. Managers love his makeup and he’s also quite impressive in right field, with Sisson describing Valent’s arm as a weapon. "He's a type of player like B.J. Surhoff," said Etchebarren. "He can do everything pretty good, but nothing great. But there's nothing wrong with that, because Surhoff's a pretty good player." "He's an above-average outfielder for a guy who can't run," Varsho said with a smile. "He makes outfield play look very easy. Because of that, he's turned himself into a terrific all-around prospect, even though his average is .258. With his 22 home runs, his RBIs, he's a run producer. He's going to have his peaks and valleys. When he peaks, he's hot. When he goes into that valley, it's a very deep valley. His consistency is what we're looking for."