(Call me a buzzkill — or worse — for writing this if you want; That’s fine, but somebody has to say it.)
It’s fun and exciting when prospects make noise and impress everyone in Spring Training. That’s part of what makes watching six weeks of exhibition games enjoyable. Last year, Ryan Fitzgerald, aka “Fitzy,” created a buzz at Red Sox camp. This year, it’s Enmanuel Valdez‘s turn. But the Valdez hype seems to be on a different level. I get it; it’s partly due to the Red Sox’ infield situation and how that’s played out this winter. However, he’s not seriously in the second base mix and is not a real consideration for an Opening Day roster spot.
Alex Cora has already dubbed Christian Arroyo the Red Sox’ second baseman. That and the Sox have Yu Chang on an MLB deal and Adalberto Mondesi when he’s ready. Boston already has five left-handed hitters on the roster. If they were to add a sixth, it’s most likely a true outfielder. Last and most importantly, Valdez is a defensive question mark, having played as many positions as he has because he’s not good anywhere. Plus, he’s still got some things to work on offensively.
Enmanuel Valdez Lower on Depth Chart Than You Think
The Red Sox’ infield depth seems thinner than it actually is after losing Xander Bogaerts to free agency and Trevor Story to injury. It’s more underwhelming than thin.
Enrique Hernandez moved to shortstop, and Adam Duvall will take his place in the outfield. Arroyo is the guy at second base. They traded for Mondesi and re-signed Chang as MLB depth. Boston signed veteran Niko Goodrum to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. Then there are prospects David Hamilton and Enmanuel Valdez on the 40-man roster. Heck, add Kike to the infield depth mix, too, when everyone is healthy. Rob Refsnyder, Jarren Duran, and Raimel Tapia — brought in on a deal similar to Goodrum — can cover the outfield.
The Red Sox really like what Chang and Mondesi bring. Arroyo is motivated to prove he can stay healthy and take advantage of the opportunity ahead of him.
Alex Cora, talking about his middle infield mix, said, “We’ll use the three of them [Kike, Arroyo, Mondesi], you know, the right way when everybody is healthy. We’ve just got to make sure everybody’s healthy.
Goodrum and Jorge Alfaro have an upward mobility clause in their contracts, and Tapia has an opt-out clause. So the Red Sox will have to add them to the 40-man roster before Opening Day if they want to keep them. The Red Sox can add Goodrum to the 40-man and option him. If Connor Wong isn’t ready, Alfaro’s path is even clearer. With five left-handed hitters on the roster already, If the Red Sox were to add another, it’ll be an outfielder, like Tapia or even Duran.
When talking about his bench, Cora said, “Although we’re very left-handed,” he said, “we will need probably a left-handed hitter to help in the outfield.”
If the Red Sox decide to add another bench infielder, it could be Hamilton (who has defensive questions of his own) with his speed and baserunning until Mondesi is ready. It could be Goodrum, too, if he’s added, possibly only if Mondesí is out for an extended time. Goodrum can play multiple positions on at least an average level, with shortstop being his best position.
Tapia, Goodrum, Duran, and even Hamilton, offer more to the Red Sox than Enmanuel Valdez does currently.
Long story short, there are a few options ahead of Enmanuel Valdez.
Red Sox High on Enmanuel Valdez but Has More Developing to Do
Valdez, with his Juan Soto-like batting stance, can absolutely rake. Between A-ball and Double-A in 2021 in the Astros system, he hit 26 HR and drove in 90 over 98 games. Last season, he hit 28 HR with 107 RBI over 126 games between Double-A and Triple-A.
Cora’s been impressed with Valdez, saying, “He can hit. This kid, he can hit. He controls the strike zone. He can hit.”
Brian Abraham, the Red Sox director of player development, talking about Valdez, said, “Last year in the short stint in Worcester we saw a guy who can play a bunch of different positions, drive the ball to all fields, really exciting bat speed, power, a guy who can impact the baseball and impact the game,” said Abraham. “Someone who is an exciting player that can do a bunch of different things throughout the game.”
Valdez hit .237/.309/.442/.731 with 7 HR and 30 RBI in 44 games after his trade to the Red Sox.
Abraham continued, “Consistency at the plate, putting the bat on the ball, putting the ball in play, because when he impacts the baseball he hits the ball hard,” Abraham said. “Being able to do that on an every day basis, that’s what big leaguers do. When he’s able to get to that point I know he’ll be ready for that call, but still some work to do but I know he’s excited for it.”
Soxprospects.com director of scouting Ian Cundall spoke with NESN.com about Valdez, saying, “He kind of just goes up to the plate and hits. When he makes contact, he hits the ball very hard and he hits it hard consistently. He definitely has an idea at the plate. There are other times where he’ll be over exuberant and get himself out. He definitely needs to take a step forward, and offensively, it needs to come in quality of at-bats. He needs to get better at not chasing secondary pitches, not chasing outside of the zone, and making more consistent contact on pitches in the zone.”
Valdez’s defense stinks, if it even exists at all.
Cundall added, “The big question for me is on defense,” Cundall said. “I’m not sure what his best defensive position is. Having seen him at second base, it’s not very natural.”
Per Baseball America, he doesn’t look any better at third base or left field.
The Red Sox like Enmanuel Valdez a lot. But with his defense being what it is, he’s a utility player right now. Why rush a utility player to the big leagues? It’s best for both parties to have Valdez play every day in Worcester to work on things.
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