The Detroit Tigers made a rare international signing on Wednesday, one that should immediately help the middle infield depth in the minors. They have agreed to terms with Cuban infielder Luis Valdes.
Tigers have a deal with Cuban shortstop Luis Valdes: https://t.co/ewjNLDZdpm
— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) March 1, 2017
On #Tigers signee Luis Valdes (5'9, 198 lbs), 28 y/o. Hit .364 over 38 games w/ a .956 OPS, 5 HR & 34 RBI in 2014 w/ Pinar del Rio.
— Emily Waldon (@EmilyCWaldon) March 1, 2017
Valdes primarily a SS, but held 6 games at 2B over 2008 & 2009 (Age 19 & 20). 318 career games at SS. Defensively, 52 errors over 5 years.
— Emily Waldon (@EmilyCWaldon) March 1, 2017
Overall in seven professional seasons in Cuba, Valdes posted a career .275/.316/.392 slash line. He doesn’t showcase much power, only 24 home runs in those seven seasons. But he’s almost always going to put the ball in play. In 1,162 official at-bats, Valdes has struck out just 132 times, or a little more than 11 percent of the time. He’s also only drawn 65 base on balls.
The defense is something that can be an area of improvement for Valdes. As Emily Waldon points out, all but six games he’s played at the shortstop position. However, he’s registered just a .968 fielding percentage at that position.
