Born12/23/1987 in San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic
ProfileHt.: 6'0" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School
Liceo Gaston Fernando Deligne
Debut04/23/2012
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Carlos Beltran mentored Valdespin during spring training, warning him that opportunity might pass him by if he did not shape up. To his credit, Valdespin quieted criticism of his immaturity by turning in his finest offensive season. With 15 homers and 33 steals, he was one of the Double-A Eastern League's most dynamic power/speed talents at the time of his early-August promotion to Triple-A. Though he lacks much of a plan at the plate, Valdespin makes enough contact to hit perhaps .270 one day, though a low walk rate will hurt his on-base percentage. He has just enough power to get himself in trouble. He's at his best when he's slashing doubles and triples into the gaps and putting his solid-average speed to good use, rather than wildly uppercutting and selling out for power. Valdespin hasn't demonstrated the concentration level to hold down shortstop on a regular basis, but his average range and arm strength play well at second base, his primary position prior to 2011. He rubs some scouts the wrong way because he doesn't always give 100 percent, but as a lefthanded batter who flashes enough ability to hit, run, field and throw, he could have a future as a utility player or fringe starter at second base.
Valdespin played at six different levels of the minors in 2009-10, topping out at Double-A last August. On the flip side, he bottomed out in 2009 when he landed in the Dominican Summer League as he began the rehab process from a badly sprained ankle. In both seasons, the Mets removed Valdespin from game action to cool him down after clashes with coaches and managers. Last season the organization suspended him twice for such outbursts, while in 2009 they sent him to extended spring training for two weeks. Ultimately, the Mets concluded that Valdespin's athleticism, quick lefty bat and speed would make him attractive to teams in the Rule 5 draft, so they added him to the 40-man roster in November. (They also may have recalled losing raw talents like Enrique Cruz and Jesus Flores in past Rule 5 drafts.) With a live, projectable body, Valdespin whips the bat through the zone and could hit .270 one day, but only if he tones down his aggressive approach. He has modest power for a middle infielder, though it's below-average overall. He's not an instinctive basestealer, but he's a plus runner capable of racking up 20 steals in a season. The Mets have tried Valdespin at shortstop for brief periods, but he lacks the concentration and throwing accuracy to play there on a full-time basis. He has the soft hands, average arm and quick feet necessary for second base, where he's an average defender. Valdespin's flashy, immature approach rubs a lot of observers the wrong way, but his tools are promising enough to intrigue the Mets as a potential middle-infield reserve. He'll return to Double-A in 2011.
Valdespin hit .385/.406/.615 in the first three weeks of the 2009 season, but he had numerous clashes with Savannah's coaching staff. In late April, the Mets sent him to extended spring for two weeks to get his act together. He immediately went 0-for-25 after rejoining the Sand Gnats, and his average plummeted to .280 by late May. Valdespin was just heating up again, going on a 14-for-27 tear, when he badly sprained his ankle on June 2. He missed two months before spending August with the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Mets, the GCL Mets and Brooklyn. Though Valdespin has a lot of movement at the plate and an aggressive approach, he has a quick bat and makes consistent hard contact. He has the potential to hit for average with a bit of gap power. He has average to slightly above-average speed and some basestealing ability. Though he saw some time at shortstop in 2009, his average arm and range fit better at second base. Valdespin has a lot to prove this season. He was old for low Class A at age 21 last season, and his history of insubordination doesn't help his cause.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Athlete in the New York Mets in 2010
Career Transactions
2B Jordany Valdespin assigned to Gigantes del Cibao.
Leones del Escogido activated 2B Jordany Valdespin.
2B Jordany Valdespin assigned to Leones del Escogido.
Lexington Legends released 2B Jordany Valdespin.
Lexington Legends signed free agent 2B Jordany Valdespin.
2B Jordany Valdespin assigned to Dominican Republic.
Gigantes del Cibao activated 2B Jordany Valdespin.
Gigantes del Cibao activated 2B Jordany Valdespin.
OF Jordany Valdespin assigned to Toros del Este.
OF Jordany Valdespin assigned to Toros del Este.
2B Jordany Valdespin assigned to Toros de Tijuana.
OF Jordany Valdespin assigned to Dominican Republic.
Rochester Red Wings activated 2B Jordany Valdespin from the 7-day injured list.
Rochester Red Wings released 2B Jordany Valdespin.
Rochester Red Wings sent 2B Jordany Valdespin on a rehab assignment to GCL Twins.
Rochester Red Wings placed 2B Jordany Valdespin on the 7-day injured list. Left wrist sprain.
2B Jordany Valdespin assigned to Minnesota Twins.
Minnesota Twins signed free agent 2B Jordany Valdespin to a minor league contract.
2B Jordany Valdespin assigned to Rochester Red Wings.
2B Jordany Valdespin assigned to Dominican Republic.
OF Jordany Valdespin assigned to Toros del Este.
OF Jordany Valdespin assigned to Leones del Escogido.
OF Jordany Valdespin assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
Olmecas de Tabasco released 2B Jordany Valdespin.
Olmecas de Tabasco signed free agent 2B Jordany Valdespin.
Leones de Yucatan released 2B Jordany Valdespin.
Leones de Yucatan signed free agent 2B Jordany Valdespin.
2B Jordany Valdespin assigned to Aguilas del Zulia.
2B Jordany Valdespin elected free agency.
2B Jordany Valdespin assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
OF Jordany Valdespin assigned to Detroit Tigers.
2B Jordany Valdespin assigned to Toledo Mud Hens.
Detroit Tigers signed free agent LF Jordany Valdespin to a minor league contract.
OF Jordany Valdespin assigned to Estrellas de Felipe Rojas Alou.
New Orleans Zephyrs released LF Jordany Valdespin.
Miami Marlins sent LF Jordany Valdespin outright to New Orleans Zephyrs.
Miami Marlins designated LF Jordany Valdespin for assignment.
Miami Marlins selected the contract of LF Jordany Valdespin from New Orleans Zephyrs.
New Orleans Zephyrs activated LF Jordany Valdespin from the 7-day disabled list.
New Orleans Zephyrs placed OF Jordany Valdespin on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to May 7, 2015. Right Oblique Strain
OF Jordany Valdespin assigned to Estrellas de Oriente.
Miami Marlins sent OF Jordany Valdespin outright to New Orleans Zephyrs.
Miami Marlins selected the contract of Jordany Valdespin from New Orleans Zephyrs.
New Orleans Zephyrs activated 2B Jordany Valdespin from the 7-day disabled list.
New Orleans Zephyrs placed 2B Jordany Valdespin on the 7-day disabled list.
New Orleans Zephyrs activated 2B Jordany Valdespin from the restricted list.
2B Jordany Valdespin assigned to New Orleans Zephyrs from New Orleans Zephyrs.
Miami Marlins signed free agent CF Jordany Valdespin to a minor league contract.
CF Jordany Valdespin elected free agency.
OF Jordany Valdespin assigned to Tigres del Licey.
New York Mets recalled CF Jordany Valdespin from Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets reassigned CF Jordany Valdespin to the minor leagues.
Jordany Valdespin roster status changed by Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets placed CF Jordany Valdespin on the restricted list.
Jordany Valdespin roster status changed by Las Vegas 51s.
CF Jordany Valdespin roster status changed by Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets optioned CF Jordany Valdespin to Las Vegas 51s.
CF Jordany Valdespin assigned to Las Vegas 51s.
OF Jordany Valdespin assigned to Dominican Republic.
2B Jordany Valdespin transferred to Leones del Escogido from Tigres del Licey.
New York Mets recalled Jordany Valdespin from Buffalo Bisons.
New York Mets optioned Jordany Valdespin to Buffalo Bisons.
New York Mets recalled Jordany Valdespin from Buffalo Bisons.
Jordany Valdespin roster status changed by New York Mets.
New York Mets optioned Jordany Valdespin to Buffalo Bisons.
New York Mets recalled Jordany Valdespin from Buffalo Bisons.
New York Mets optioned Jordany Valdespin to Buffalo Bisons.
New York Mets recalled Jordany Valdespin from Buffalo Bisons.
New York Mets optioned Jordany Valdespin to Buffalo Bisons.
New York Mets recalled Jordany Valdespin from Buffalo Bisons.
Buffalo Bisons placed 2B Jordany Valdespin on the reserve list.
Jordany Valdespin roster status changed by New York Mets.
New York Mets optioned 2B Jordany Valdespin to Buffalo Bisons.
SS Jordany Valdespin assigned to Buffalo Bisons from Binghamton Mets.
New York Mets optioned Jordany Valdespin to Binghamton Mets.
New York Mets selected the contract of Jordany Valdespin from Binghamton Mets.
Jordany Valdespin assigned to Mesa Solar Sox.
Jordany Valdespin assigned to Binghamton Mets from St. Lucie Mets.
Jordany Valdespin roster status changed by St. Lucie Mets.
2B Jordany Valdespin suspended.
St. Lucie Mets activated 2B Jordany Valdespin from the 7-day disabled list.
St. Lucie Mets placed SS Jordany Valdespin on the 7-day disabled list.
SS Jordany Valdespin assigned to St. Lucie Mets from Brooklyn Cyclones.
2B Jordany Valdespin assigned to New York Mets.
Jordany Valdespin assigned to Tigres del Licey.
Jordany Valdespin assigned to Brooklyn Cyclones from GCL Mets.
Jordany Valdespin assigned to GCL Mets from DSL Mets.
Jordany Valdespin assigned to DSL Mets.
Savannah Sand Gnats placed 2B Jordany Valdespin on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to June 19, 2009. left ankle injury
2B Jordany Valdespin assigned to Savannah Sand Gnats from GCL Mets.
Jordany Valdespin assigned to GCL Mets from Savannah Sand Gnats.
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