Raul Valdes

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #27 prospect in 2005
  If you like statistics, you love Valdez. He led the DSL in ERA and strikeouts, fanning 20 in one seven-inning stint. However, as a 26-year-old, Valdez should have been in Double-A. Visa restrictions didn't afford the Cuban defector that opportunity. To his credit, he has proven himself against much stiffer competition in the Dominican League. He led the league in strikeouts (46 in 51 innings) in 2003 and in ERA (0.79) in 2004, when he was the league's pitcher of the year. Looking for lefthanded relievers, the Cubs have invited Valdez to big league camp as a nonroster player. There's no consensus on his best pitch. His fastball has fringy velocity at 83-88 mph, but it also has a lot of movement. Both his curveball and changeup grade out as plus pitches on the right day. His ability to locate all three offerings makes them even better. If Valdez doesn't make the major league team, Chicago will try to find a rotation spot for him in the upper minors.