My First LookooL tk
So, the .sgningisfirst thing I did, like always, was try to hunt down some video. Not just the highlight reels, you gotta watch the full at-bats if you can find 'em. See the strikeouts, the weak grounders, not just the bombs. Found some decent footage, mostly from showcases and maybe some lower-level games. It's not always easy getting a complete picture with these young guys, especially international signings.
Th.spien, I pulled up the basic stats available. You know, batting average, home runs, steals, that kind of stuff. Stats don't tell the whole story, especially at the lower levels, but they give you a starting point. You look for trends, any big jumps or dips.
Digging Deeper
Watching the video, I started breaking things down, just jotting down notes on my pad like I usually do:
- The Swing: First thing I noticed was the bat speed. It looked quick, definitely some pop there, or at least the potential for it. Sometimes his swing got a bit long, maybe something he needs to tighten up as he faces better pitching.
- Running: Looked like he could move okay on the basepaths in the clips I saw. Not a burner, maybe, but not slow either. Hard to tell true speed sometimes without seeing more game action.
- Fielding: Saw him mostly in the outfield. Looked like he got decent reads, arm strength seemed alright on a few throws I watched. Again, limited views, so you take it with a grain of salt.
You try to piece together these observations. Does the swing look like it will produce power AND average? Does the speed play in games? Is the defense gonna stick at a certain spot?
Comparing and Contrasting
Next step is always context. Okay, he looks like this, but how does that stack up? I started thinking about other young outfield prospects I've scouted or ranked over the years. You mentally (or sometimes literally, on paper) place them side-by-side. Is Valdez's power projection higher than Player X? Is his hit tool as refined as Player Y was at the same age? It's all relative, right?
This part involves a lot of going back and forth. Re-watching clips, checking notes on other players. Sometimes you get conflicting info – one report praises his glove, another says it's average. You gotta weigh the sources, look at the consistency of his performance in the footage you have.
Making the Call (For Now)
So, after chewing on it for a bit, watching the tape I could find, looking at the numbers, and comparing him to others, I had to decide where to slot him in my own personal rankings. It wasn't super obvious. There's definite toolsiness there, you can see the appeal. The bat speed is intriguing.
But there's also risk, like with any young guy this far away from the big leagues. How will the hit tool develop against advanced pitching? Will the power translate consistently in games?
In the end, I put him in a tier I felt reflected both the potential and the uncertainty. Not right at the very top, but definitely a guy to keep a close eye on. He's got the kind of tools that could make him shoot up lists if things click. For now, he sits in a spot that feels right based on what I've seen myself. It's just my take, based on my process, you know? We'll see how he develops. Always interesting to track these guys.
