Freddy Valdez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #17 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Valdez signed for $1.4 million in 2018 on the strength of his incredible raw power. He hit six home runs in his pro debut as a 17-year-old in 2019, spending most of the season in the Dominican Summer League but appearing in three games in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Valdez records some of the highest average exit velocities in the Mets' system, and lives in the same neighborhood in that regard as Top 10 Prospects Brett Baty and Mark Vientos. During one notable live batting practice session at instructional league, the righthanded-hitting Valdez flexed his plus-plus raw power by driving a pitch about 450 feet down the left-field line. Otherwise, the speed of instructional league play was too fast for Valdez, who was one of the younger players in camp. He doesn't chase out of the zone as much as other hitters his age but struggled to wait on his pitch and do damage. Valdez is a power-over-hit corner outfielder, with below-average hitting ability. His physical, mature body will keep him locked in right field, where he has below-average defensive instincts and a strong arm that is mitigated by a long arm action and slow release.
  
  THE FUTURE: Valdez has strong competitive makeup and is a good teammate. His upward mobility depends on doing damage when he makes contact. His development will take time.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #18 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: The Mets signed Valdez, a powerful righthanded-hitting corner outfielder, for $1.4 million in 2018. He embarked on his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2019, where he clubbed 23 extra-base hits to rank in the 85th percentile for isolated slugging among DSL batters.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The 6-foot-3 Valdez is physically mature for a 17-year-old, but his thin ankles and athletic bloodline are positive indicators that he won't become too thick. His present strength and quick swing translate to plus-plus raw power with a chance to reach plus game power. His flyball-oriented hitting approach will help him maximize power, as will his above-average plate discipline for a teen slugger. Valdez should hit for a respectable average but is definitely a power-over-hit profile. He is a solid defensive right fielder with a plus arm but below-average speed.
  
  THE FUTURE: With a corner profile, Valdez will go as far as his bat takes him. His next step will be Rookie ball in the U.S. and he will require at least four seasons of development.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #28 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Valdez stood out in the 2018 international signing class for his physical 6-foot-3 stature and immense raw power. The Mets signed him for $1.4 million based on his prototype right field tools, but they know his development will take time.
  
  Scouting Report: Valdez has a mature body for a 16-year-old, but his thin ankles and better-than-expected agility could allow him to begin his pro career in center field. Scouts project him to right field ultimately, and Valdez packs enough thunder in his bat to profile there. His loose, whippy swing and bat speed allow him to impact the ball for 70-grade raw power. Valdez will need to learn the strike zone to access plus power in games, because like many young sluggers he tends to be overaggressive and too pull-oriented. His lack of hitting rhythm and swing-and-miss rate will translate to low batting averages. He is a below-average runner but solid fundamental outfielder with a plus arm.
  
  The Future: The Mets will take it slow with Valdez, who should make his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2019. He will advance as far as his bat takes him.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Valdez signed for $1.4 million in 2018 on the strength of his incredible raw power. He hit six home runs in his pro debut as a 17-year-old in 2019, spending most of the season in the Dominican Summer League but appearing in three games in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Valdez records some of the highest average exit velocities in the Mets' system, and lives in the same neighborhood in that regard as Top 10 Prospects Brett Baty and Mark Vientos. During one notable live batting practice session at instructional league, the righthanded-hitting Valdez flexed his plus-plus raw power by driving a pitch about 450 feet down the left-field line. Otherwise, the speed of instructional league play was too fast for Valdez, who was one of the younger players in camp. He doesn't chase out of the zone as much as other hitters his age but struggled to wait on his pitch and do damage. Valdez is a power-over-hit corner outfielder, with below-average hitting ability. His physical, mature body will keep him locked in right field, where he has below-average defensive instincts and a strong arm that is mitigated by a long arm action and slow release.
  
  THE FUTURE: Valdez has strong competitive makeup and is a good teammate. His upward mobility depends on doing damage when he makes contact. His development will take time.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Valdez signed for $1.4 million in 2018 on the strength of his incredible raw power. He hit six home runs in his pro debut as a 17-year-old in 2019, spending most of the season in the Dominican Summer League but appearing in three games in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Valdez records some of the highest average exit velocities in the Mets' system, and lives in the same neighborhood in that regard as Top 10 Prospects Brett Baty and Mark Vientos. During one notable live batting practice session at instructional league, the righthanded-hitting Valdez flexed his plus-plus raw power by driving a pitch about 450 feet down the left-field line. Otherwise, the speed of instructional league play was too fast for Valdez, who was one of the younger players in camp. He doesn't chase out of the zone as much as other hitters his age but struggled to wait on his pitch and do damage. Valdez is a power-over-hit corner outfielder, with below-average hitting ability. His physical, mature body will keep him locked in right field, where he has below-average defensive instincts and a strong arm that is mitigated by a long arm action and slow release.
  
  THE FUTURE: Valdez has strong competitive makeup and is a good teammate. His upward mobility depends on doing damage when he makes contact. His development will take time.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Mets signed Valdez, a powerful righthanded-hitting corner outfielder, for $1.4 million in 2018. He embarked on his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2019, where he clubbed 23 extra-base hits to rank in the 85th percentile for isolated slugging among DSL batters.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The 6-foot-3 Valdez is physically mature for a 17-year-old, but his thin ankles and athletic bloodline are positive indicators that he won’t become too thick. His present strength and quick swing translate to plus-plus raw power with a chance to reach plus game power. His flyball-oriented hitting approach will help him maximize power, as will his above-average plate discipline for a teen slugger. Valdez should hit for a respectable average but is definitely a power-over-hit profile. He is a solid defensive right fielder with a plus arm but below-average speed.
  
  THE FUTURE: With a corner profile, Valdez will go as far as his bat takes him. His next step will be Rookie ball in the U.S. and he will require at least four seasons of development.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Mets signed Valdez, a powerful righthanded-hitting corner outfielder, for $1.4 million in 2018. He embarked on his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2019, where he clubbed 23 extra-base hits to rank in the 85th percentile for isolated slugging among DSL batters.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The 6-foot-3 Valdez is physically mature for a 17-year-old, but his thin ankles and athletic bloodline are positive indicators that he won't become too thick. His present strength and quick swing translate to plus-plus raw power with a chance to reach plus game power. His flyball-oriented hitting approach will help him maximize power, as will his above-average plate discipline for a teen slugger. Valdez should hit for a respectable average but is definitely a power-over-hit profile. He is a solid defensive right fielder with a plus arm but below-average speed.
  
  THE FUTURE: With a corner profile, Valdez will go as far as his bat takes him. His next step will be Rookie ball in the U.S. and he will require at least four seasons of development.