posted 6/27/12 4:49 PM PST
by Marc Hefferan
*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2012 season as an 'under the radar' player.
Under the Radar Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
IF/OF Jesus Valdez, Rookie Level Ogden (LAD)
season stats: .484 BA, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 2B, 2 3B, 5 BB, 3 K, SB in 8 games
June 20-June 26: 10-for-23, 2B, 3B, 5 RBI, 4 BB
As the month of June comes to a close, so does the first half of the minor league baseball season. In several leagues, many first half champions have been crowned and various All-Star games are already behind us. But the end of June also starts the busiest time of the year for us 'Under the Radar' folk. Class-A Short Season and Rookie Leagues are upon us and with over a week’s worth of action already in the books, Jim Brown and I can finally sink our teeth into a whole new crop of prospects. One league that has drawn my particular attention is the Pioneer League as the Ogden Raptors sit atop the South division with a 7-2 record, much of which has to do with the early season performance of Valdez, my 'UTR' Hitter of the Week. The 20 year old went 3-for-4 with four runs scored and a triple on opening night and had multiple hits in five of his first seven games.
Looking back, it would not have surprised me to see Valdez discussed within the ‘Pitcher of the Week’ portion of our feature. In 2010, the Los Angeles Angels selected Valdez in the 5th round out of Hueneme HS in Oxnard (CA) as a right-handed power pitcher. He possessed two plus-pitches including a fastball that reached the mid 90’s and a hard mid 70’s curve, but Valdez didn’t sign and went on to play for the Condors of Oxnard Junior College (CA). In 2011, as a two-way player on the mound and as a third baseman, PerfectGame.org ranked the 6-3, 190 lb star as the #10 ranked junior college player in the country. The Dodgers took notice and drafted Valdez in the 17th round in 2011 and immediately assigned him to the AZL Rookie League. In 23 games, he batted .241 with 3 home runs and 15 runs batted in while playing 16 of his games at first base. In 2012, he has spent most of his time playing errorless defense at first base and has also seen time in the outfield. With Valdez’ past achievements on the mound and current success as a slugger, the Dodger farmhand offers a very unique opportunity for both himself and the organization. If he continues to hit he could become a true sleeper at a relatively weak position in the system. But if he falters as a hitter, he is young and skilled enough to provide an arm well worthy of a shift back to the mound.
Honorable Mentions
C Eric Smith, Rookie Level Ogden (LAD): .448 BA, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 4 2B, 3B, 3 BB, 2 K in 7 games; 10-for-25, 2 2B, 6 RBI, 3 BB in last week.
SS Gioskar Amaya, Short-Season Boise (CHC): .354 BA, HR, 7 RBI, 2B, 4 3B, 4 BB, 8 K, 2 SB in 12 games; 12-for-29, HR, 2B, 3 3B, 6 RBI in last week.
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UTR Minor League NL Pitching Performance of the Week
Under the Radar 2012 Archive
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