Enmanuel Valdez providing spark for Corpus Christi Hooks – Riverside, California
Riverside, California 2022-05-29 07:00:08 –
The Dominican Republic’s reputation for producing talented baseball players is not a secret.
It’s not just one that Enmanuel Valdez has become one of Hook’s most consistent batters.
Born in San Juan de la Magana, the 23-year-old infielder has risen to the minor league ranks since signing a minor league contract with the Houston Astros in 2015.
In fact, Valdes is off to a great start since playing the rookie ball at the Dominican Summer League Astros in 2016.
After the match against Wichita Wind Surge on Friday, Valdes leads the hook with an average batting average (.336), home runs (8) and RBI (34).
“We will never change the goal of where we want to be,” Valdes said through Fuchs’ bullpen coach and interpreter Edgar Martinez. “Everything I have inside and outside the field is something I’ve worked for a lifetime.”
Valdes may be promoted in the coming weeks, but for now he’s earning a reward for playing in Hook’s jersey.
After joining the club in August 2021, Valdes, who entered his first full season at Fuchs, was named Texas League Player of the Week after recording 1.215 OPS in six games against Frisco RoughRiders. Valdes won the series 10-27 with 3 home runs, 3 home runs and 8 RBIs.
Valdes was also named the Astros Minor League Monthly Player of the Year in April after hitting .351 with 16 RBIs.
“It means tons, and most importantly, thank God for everything,” Valdes said. “Thanks to (Hook Blow Coach) Aaron (Westlake) and my teammates for supporting me. I like to stay and give everything I have every day.”
The current play is that Fuchs batter coach Aaron Westlake has noticed Valdes from the beginning of the season.
Westlake said Valdes is the type of player who doesn’t put pressure on himself when he’s on the plate or in the infield.
“Valdes is a kid who is ready to work every day and appears on the scene,” Westlake said. “He doesn’t bring in the previous results the next day. It’s mature for someone of his age. He’s ready to play and comes to the park, and he doesn’t put too much pressure on himself.”
Westlake has seen a share of minor and major league talent since playing the big league himself. Westlake, who is in his first season as a batter coach for Fuchs, was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2011 and played college baseball in Vanderbilt.
He previously worked as a development coach at the Florida Complex League and Arizona Diamondbacks.
“This game is a coordination game,” Westlake said. “Emanuel is a very smart player, especially on the offensive side. He adapts to the way the pitcher pitches him, because he makes quick adjustments and sometimes it takes time for the player to make adjustments. , They struggle a little more, but that’s why he’s been so successful, from his at-bats to his at-bats. “
Despite his success in the field, Valdes said he didn’t know English and it was difficult to move to a new city.
His continued motive comes from his family, especially his late grandfather Asiad Valdes, who has supported Valdes from an early age.
“It was hard and it wasn’t easy to come from a new city,” Baldy’s said. “Not knowing the language was the most difficult part, but thanks to God I can adapt and things are going well here.”
Westlake said he believes Valdes is an impact player who can benefit Triple A and Major League Baseball clubs if the opportunity arises.
Valdes’ competitiveness and ability to bring energy to the players around him are one of his greatest assets.
“He’s the guy who’s going to give you a competitive turn at bat when you’re on the plate,” Westlake said. “He brings energy to the plate, the field and is ready to work every day. He provides a positive environment for those around him. They will get someone ready to work. Such a person fuels the people around him. “
Valdes said playing in a major league club is a dream, but more importantly, it’s a dream for him and his family.
Valdes admits that his loved ones played baseball in the United States and for organizations like the Astros.
“My grandpa always believed that I would play in the big league someday since I was a kid,” Valdes said. “He always plays with me in the neighborhood and knows he looks down on me. Hopefully he can make him happy by joining the Big League.”
more:From Mexico to Corpus Christi, Fuchs’ Cesar Salazar makes the most of the road to the Big League
Rey Castillo is a Caller-Times sports reporter and graduate of Texas A & M-Kingsville.He can be contacted at rey.castillo@caller.com or Twitter@reycastillo361
Enmanuel Valdez providing spark for Corpus Christi Hooks Source link Enmanuel Valdez providing spark for Corpus Christi Hooks
