Jordany Valdespin Scouting Report (2009)
Mets bloggers began posting top prospect lists at the end of the season, an unlikely inclusion in my eyes was Jordany Valdespin on the cusp of many top 20 lists. At .298/.349/.438, the second baseman looks impressive on paper, but does he have the skill set to match?
Offense - Early in the year, Valdespin was a bench player stuck behind Josh Satin on the second base depth chart. During an early season stretch, Valdespin racked up most of his 2009 extra base hit total before losing significant time due to a variety of disciplinary issues. Don't be fooled by the .438 slugging percentage. While he has some pop for his size, his game is still more or less slap the ball and run. With 20 free passes in almost 300 at bats, he doesn't have the plate discipline of a lead off hitter which could pose a major problem should he have the opportunity to climb the organizational ladder.
Defense - Valdespin has fluid movements and an average arm, but is a little rough around the edges. I'd describe his hands as "choppy" as he has a tendency to stab at the ball. He split time at second base and served as designated hitter on a number of occasions which is a bit disconcerting considering Satin's struggles turning two in the middle and fringe range. Unlike Satin who played all over the infield, Valdespin did not make the infield rounds which is a defensive red flag.
Speed - Only a tick above average, mention of his being a burner is vastly overblown. His instincts on the base paths are just so-so and have seen him thrown out badly attempting to advance on a handful of occasions. I would not project him to post anything close to gaudy stolen base totals in the future.
With Jordany Valdespin, a common sense approach to his prospect star is necessary to gauge his value. With the Mets propensity to rush young, Latin American talent, Valdespin's being 22 and having played in no higher than full season A baseball is quite damning. At one point, he was demoted from Savannah back to the Dominican for what I understand to be a pretty serious rules infraction.
Valdespin will probably open 2010 back in Savannah if he is still with the organization come spring. With his growing organizational rap sheet, I'd say the odds are about 50/50 he remains with the Mets considering the turnover in Latin American operations which has already begun.
Offense - Early in the year, Valdespin was a bench player stuck behind Josh Satin on the second base depth chart. During an early season stretch, Valdespin racked up most of his 2009 extra base hit total before losing significant time due to a variety of disciplinary issues. Don't be fooled by the .438 slugging percentage. While he has some pop for his size, his game is still more or less slap the ball and run. With 20 free passes in almost 300 at bats, he doesn't have the plate discipline of a lead off hitter which could pose a major problem should he have the opportunity to climb the organizational ladder.
Defense - Valdespin has fluid movements and an average arm, but is a little rough around the edges. I'd describe his hands as "choppy" as he has a tendency to stab at the ball. He split time at second base and served as designated hitter on a number of occasions which is a bit disconcerting considering Satin's struggles turning two in the middle and fringe range. Unlike Satin who played all over the infield, Valdespin did not make the infield rounds which is a defensive red flag.
Speed - Only a tick above average, mention of his being a burner is vastly overblown. His instincts on the base paths are just so-so and have seen him thrown out badly attempting to advance on a handful of occasions. I would not project him to post anything close to gaudy stolen base totals in the future.
With Jordany Valdespin, a common sense approach to his prospect star is necessary to gauge his value. With the Mets propensity to rush young, Latin American talent, Valdespin's being 22 and having played in no higher than full season A baseball is quite damning. At one point, he was demoted from Savannah back to the Dominican for what I understand to be a pretty serious rules infraction.
Valdespin will probably open 2010 back in Savannah if he is still with the organization come spring. With his growing organizational rap sheet, I'd say the odds are about 50/50 he remains with the Mets considering the turnover in Latin American operations which has already begun.
