Cesar Valdez, SP (ARZ)
August 27, 2008
23 Years Old
2005 Undrafted Free Agent Signing
2006 – Played at short-season Yakima in Low A
2007 – Played full season A ball in South Bend
2008 – First half of the season at high A Visalia and promoted to AA Mobile mid-year
REALLY – Valdez is a quick riser in an Arizona organization full of interesting starting pitcher prospects. He is probably the ace of the current Mobile staff. As he moves up levels, his K% and GB% have gotten better at each step.
SERIOUSLY – Spectacular control pitcher with high ground ball tendencies (sounds like a similar profile to a current D’Back ace). Valdez walked only 33 in 151 innings pitched, and his ground ball percentage is well above average at every level as 55% of his batted balls are on the ground.
C’MON – If only his fastball had a little bit more oomph that comparison to Webb would be spot on. . . . Valdez tops out around 90 for his fastball, but his fastball has a nice downward action which is the cause of his above average ground ball rates. Combine that with his superb plus pitch, the change-up, and he has a nice 1-2 combo. But Valdez may be nothing more than a reliever if he cannot further develop his slurvy breaking ball or add some mph to his fastball.
