16. SS Jordany Valdespin
Valdespin was
signed by the Mets as an undrafted international free agent in 2006.
He played one
year for the DSL Mets, in 2007, hitting .245/.369/.338/.707 in 139 at bats.
Someone must have liked what they saw in that .239 batting average because he
went stateside in 2008.
In 2008,
Valdespin played the entire season for the GCL Mets, though he only had 134 at
bats. He hit .284/.319/.440
In 2009,
Valdespin started the season for Savannah and was close to leading the league
in hitting Then, something happened. He was suspended from the team, banished
back to extended camp, and eventually wound up back for the DSL team
(.333/..421/.600/1.021 in 15 at bats).
Next stop was the
GCL Mets followed by Brooklyn (.279/.338/.397) where he finished the season.
1-1-10 Forecast:
- As many of you know, I’m one of the beat reporters for the Savannah Sand
Gnats and I’m pretty close with the folks there. That being said, I never could
find out what Valdespin did to cause him being taken out of A ball when he was
doing so well. All I can say is it was definitely something no one wanted to
talk about. The next question would be,
if the Mets management doesn’t change at the A-level, where does Valdespin play
in 2010? Hopefuly, all is forgiven because he has showed to be a pretty good 1
or 2 hitter in a lineup.
I wrote on
2-10-10: - Jordany Valdespin – this is the one you have to watch… highest
ceiling of any Mets infielder in the system, and maybe the highest ceiling of
any player period… the boy can hit, but also can piss off the coaches, so
hopefully, we’ll see a new level of maturity this season. Remember his name…
he’s a future major leaguer.
4-19-10: - Stock
Up: Valdespin has been a hitting machine since the day he came stateside in
2008. .284 for the GCL Mets that year… led the Sally League, early, in hitting
in 2009… and now hitting his stride at A+, with stats of .310/.310/.524/.833.
Other than the fact that he doesn’t walk, he quickly is establishing himself as
the top second base prospect in the system. I wrote on Feb 10: “Jordany
Valdespin – this is the one you have to watch… highest ceiling of any Mets
infielder in the system, and maybe the highest ceiling of any player period… the
boy can hit, but also can piss off the coaches, so hopefully, we’ll see a new
level of maturity this season. Remember his name… he’s a future major leaguer.”
I expect the 22-year old to stay put at Lucy this season. Play Binghamton in
2011, and then… who knows…
2-23-11: - Stock
Up: - 2B/SS Jordany Valdespin – word from camp is that Valdespin turned heads
during his infield workout along with other Mets vying for a Queens job. He
simply was faster than the rest of the guys, both in getting to the ball and also
getting back into postion for the next ground. He has been known to get lazy on
routine balls, but not sof ar this spring.
3-14-11: - Up: -
2B/SS – Jordany Valdespin – what I’m hearing now is the Mets coaches are in
love with Valdy’s game down in spring training. I have no idea what that means
but my guess is he will play 2B in Buffalo with Ruben Tejada on short. This
will bump Reese Havens back to Binghamton to team with Wilmer Flores and Jenry
Marte. This is a real positive problem.
4-23-11 – Down –
SS – Jordany Valdespin – No one had more positive press going into this season
than Valdespin. The Mets brass at spring training fell in love with him and it
looks like they put the old curse on him. Valdy looks lost right now, leading
the team in errors while hitting just .159.
7-4-11: -
Valdespin continues to be an enigma wrapped in a riddle. Yes, he went 4-5 last
night and had two more stolen bases, but he had to try and stretch a single
into a double and was out by a mile for the last out of the game. Your team is
down by one in the last inning, with two out and you have to try and make the
highlight film once again. Valdespin continues to show the Mets two sides of
his game. One, his talent, and two, his lack of regard for team play.
7-22-11: -
Following minor leaguers is all about trying to find someone that will become a
start in the majors. No one ever questioned Valdespin’s talent since the day he
signed on as a Met. It was always his work ethics and attitude; however, it
looks like the kid is becoming a man and may be a futre peg in the Mets infield
some day. He’s batting .304 for Binghamton, with 13-HRs, and 29-SB. Make that
.324 in the past 10 games.
7-25-11: - Four
more hits tonight for Jordy, or Spin, or whatever his nickname is. Batting
average is .308. Hit two doubles for a total of 23 so far this season… hit his
15th home run. That’s a .500+ slugging
percentage, 23 doubles, and 15 home runs for a 2B/SS known for his defensive
skills. Hmm…
8-10-11 – Stock
Up – Jordany Valdespin – it’s obvious that the promotion of Ruben Tejada got
this ball rolling, but Valdespin earned this one on his own. He hit
.297/.341/.483/.824 in AA, with 15-HR and 51-RBIs. The problem is he also had
29 errors which the Mets aren’t used to with their middle infielders. Still,
kudos to Jordy.
8-11-11: - Stock
Down – Seems it didn’t take long for Valdespin to get back to his old tricks
once he hit the AAA. Reports are that the diva decided to only jog out, not
one, but two, ground balls during Thursday’s game. I’m sure manager Tim Teufel
was just thrilled to lock horns once again with Spin. It will be interesting to
see if he’s in today’s lineup. Good bat, but leopards can’t change spots… or
was that tigers?
8-22-11
Observation: - Valdespin was promoted earlier this month to AAA-Buffalo and he
is having a little problem with that level of pitching. I have Ruben Tejada
remaining in Queens regardless of whether Jose Reyes is signed, so it looks
like Valdespin will become the emergency shortstop in waiting. There was a
recent sub-only article on him at Baseball America that focused on his attitude
problems. The story said that is all in the past. We'll see. ETA: Ready in
2012, but blocked
10-18-11: - In
updating the Keepers, I have to say that, right now, Jordany Valdespin is the
top every day player in the system. This might be due to other players
underperforming and lack of 5-tool projectable ceilings, but he still has
earned it on his own with his ability both in the field and with a bat in his
hand.He also is maturing as a human, with a big help by Carlos Beltran.
3-8-12 – I’m glad to see that
the Mets are playing Valdespin this spring, and the raw talent is obvious;
however, he still looks like he’s playing this game without any control
whatsoever. I’m not sure anyone in the Mets organization is ever going to harness
this dude.
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