Posted by Jay Floyd, Sat, March 10, 2012 03:15 PM | Comments: 6
2012 Top 25 Prospects, Minor Leagues, Posts, Prospecting, Threshers
Since signing as a free agent with the Phillies at the age of 16, Valle has improved steadily in every aspect of his game. A smart hitter with power, Valle really shines behind the plate. Pitchers who have thrown to Valle cite his maturity and focus as qualities that help him stand out in leagues where talent is abundant.
The Mexico native made his pro debut in 2007 as a member of the Phils’ Dominican Summer League team. In 54 games, Valle batted .284 and rocked an .802 OPS.
In 2008, Valle played for the Gulf Coast League Phillies, where he batted .281, hit 2 homers and drove in 18 runs in 48 games. There, he helped guide the GCL Phils’ pitching staff to a league championship.
The following year, Valle, a 6-foot-1-inch 200-pounder, split time between Class A Lakewood and short-season A level Williamsport. In 50 games for the Williamsport Crosscutters, Valle shined, posting a .307 average with 6 homeruns and 40 RBI. In addition, Valle sported an .866 OPS with the ‘Cutters. The production wasn’t quite the same as a member the Lakewood BlueClaws that year, however, as Valle struggled for playing time behind eventual Roy Halladay trade chip Travis d’Arnaud. In 45 games for the eventual South Atlantic League champion BlueClaws, Valle batted .223 with 1 HR, 15 RBI and a .644 OPS.
The 2010 season presented a chance to play more with Lakewood and Valle produced very solid numbers, as one of the leaders of the team’s offense. Valle began the year a bit slow, notching just a single homerun in his first 40 games. Once he heated up, though, Valle hit 8 homeruns over the next 18 games and kept it going through the remainder of the year. In 117 regular season games, Valle posted a .255 batting average, while slamming a team leading 16 homers and driving in 74 runs to help his club lock down its second consecutive SAL title.
With Class A Advanced Clearwater, in 2011, Valle posted a .284 batting average with 5 homers and 40 RBI. Valle played in just 91 games, as he was held back with some injuries last year. Dealing with a sprained thumb, among other ailments, made it difficult for Valle to swing at his best and drive the ball.
Leading a group of minor league All-Star hurlers know as the Phils’ “Baby Aces”, Valle was honored as an All-Star himself last year with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers. His terrific rapport with his staff and knowledge of each pitcher’s strengths enables Valle to guide them toward bigger and better things.
Already a steadily sought after prospect, Valle projects to be a big league catcher and has displayed considerably more power and consistency with the bat than current Phils backstop Carlos Ruiz did at the same levels during his climb up the developmental ladder. In addition, Valle is doing those things at a younger age than Ruiz was in those same leagues.
An aggressive batter, Valle has a low walk rate that is quite noticeable and he must become more selective while batting. Phillies coaches have surely addressed this with the youngster. Surprisingly, Valle has walked twice in three Grapefruit League games with the big league club this spring.
Defensively, Valle has developed greatly and has impressed former big league catchers Mark Parent and Dusty Wathan, who have managed Valle with Lakewood and Clearwater respectively in each of the past two seasons.
Heading into 2012, Valle is expected to begin his season with Double-A Reading, where he will attempt to help himself and his pitchers continue to grow on the baseball field.
_________________________________________________
Our 2012 prospect countdown index can be found HERE.
Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider. Check out more content from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.
Pin It 6 CommentsPosts: 0 brooks
Be still my heart = |
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 06:06 PM on March 10, 2012Posts: 3 Phanatic2008
Look for the Phillies to flip Joe Blanton to Toronto to get back Travis d’Arnaud, the catcher they traded away in the Roy Halladay deal. Amaro Jr. has come out publicly and said he wants d’Arnaud back with the Phillies. They think he could be the next big catcher after Ruiz is done.
With that being said, I like having Blanton around as the 5th starter. There is truth to the saying we hear all the time – you can never have enough starting pitching. We did sign a few guys in the off season, which could gives us some SP depth and they could replace Blanton.
The intriguing thing is that Oswalt is still out there. If the Phillies send Blanton to Toronto and get d’Arnaud back, then sign Oswalt to round out the rotation – I like that move. It’s a win-win for the Phillies. However, if they send Blanton anywhere else and don’t get anything decent in return, I’d be a little more skeptical about the move. This could also be a move in anticipation of a bigger move later in the season closer to the trade deadline.
Moving Blanton to help make salary space for a Hamels extension, or Victorino extension doesn’t make sense since they are Blanton is a FA at the end of the season and will be coming off the books.
Interesting stuff here. Definitely something to keep an eye on. It’s moves like this that could really end up being game changers later in the season…sometimes good ones….sometimes no so good ones….
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 11:59 AM on March 11, 2012Posts: 3 Phanatic2008
I meant to say they flip Blanton in a package deal. There is no way they would do a 1-for-1 trade.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 12:31 PM on March 11, 2012Posts: 0 jack
You’re delusional if you think the Jays will give up D’Arnaud, currently considered one of the top prospects in the game (and possibly the top catching prospect), for one year of Blanton, a mediocre, injury-prone, overpaid, bottom-of-the-rotation starter. A package deal would have to include a hell of a lot more than Blanton to pry away D’Arnaud.
Flag commentPosted: 11:30 AM on March 12, 2012Posts: 0 jph715
yes, i was going to say you’re insane if you think the jays would do that deal…
d’naud is canadien, is he not, so i dont see any reason they would trade him, even though JP Arencibia did well last year…
chances are they would trade Arencibia when D’naud is ready..
apparently Oswalt is going to wait to sign, then his kids can be with him during the summer, and it matters less where he plays….
honestly, if blanton proves he’s healthy, id just keep him around as the 4th, as im not counting on worley to repeat last years performance
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 04:45 PM on March 11, 2012Posts: 0 Don M
If you’ve read between the lines on Oswalt… He either wants to go to a contender, or a club close to his home … Texas Rangers and St Louis Cards both should fit that criteria so I’d peg them as the favorites for Oswalt when the time comes… I can’t seethe Blue Jays wantin much to do with Blanton- he’s a FA after this year and I’m sure if they decide to move one of their catchers , it would be for either a legit MLB player on a rental (much better talent than Blanton ) or for a group of young prospects (which Blanton is not)
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 09:36 AM on March 12, 2012 Leave a Comment>> Create a new Phillies Nation account. >> Already registered with Phillies Nation? Log in here. >> Comment without logging in:
Name (required)
Email (will not be published) (required)
Leave a comment below
Please ensure your comments comply with our Comment Policy. .load-hide{display:none} NetworkPostsActivity Login to your Phillies Nation account to comment and access your Network dashboard.
Username:
Password:
Don't have an account? Create a new one here >>
Halladay Struggles; Young Relievers Look Sharp in LossSpring Training Gameday: Twins vs. PhilliesDom Brown, Left Field: Why it WorksHamels Solid as Phils Fall to AstrosSpring Training Gameday: Astros vs. PhilliesThe J-Bone Zone, Vol. 4: Elbow Status, PN Ranking, Hazing"Guys We Despise": John Lannan & Rod BarajasCould the Phils, Should the Phils Trade Blanton?
tchettdale commented on the blog post Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May 2 minutes ago · View
3.1 Phillip Lim
3.1 Phillip Lim bag
3.1 Phillip Lim handbags
cheap 3.1 Phillip Lim bag
cheap 3.1 Phillip Lim handbags
tchettdale commented on the blog post Spring Training Gameday: Tigers vs. Phillies 3 minutes ago · View
uggugg bootsugg boots on saleugg boots cheapugg stroeMENS UGG BootsUGG Roxy Bootsbuy UGG Classic Short Bootsdiacount UGG Classic Mini BootsUGG AUSTRALIA
tchettdale posted an update: 3 minutes ago · View
replica wacthes
Replica Zenith watches
Fake Zenith watches
Copy Zenith watches
Buy Zenith watches
.This little one does everything I’d like to see it to even more.It’s great the direction they make them so compact they usually weigh a lot less than five unwanted weight.Technology can be described as dream as of late, and it truly is only recovering.You can easily literally get hold of notebook computer which is a mere 50 percent of inch firm, but though packs an excellent level of gigabytes.Its truly astounding.As you are aware of by at this time, folks throughout the world enjoy may enhance the computers in their own homes.Believe it or not, if people still wouldn’t have a SYSTEM or Apple computer, then that you are probably slightly straight from the loop.Most certainly folks, now days you won’t grapple along with gargantuan personal computer costs
tchettdale posted an update: 3 minutes ago · View
Replica Emporio Armani Watches
Replica Rolex Watches
fake Rolex Watches
cheap Replica Rolex Watches
Replica Rolex Watches online
.In whose sale benefits, they are sports eyeglasses, which means should be be imbued with extra appropriate features…the likes of wind and dust proper protection.Function might be all-important! Most are sunglasses people wear in sunlight; therefore you are likely to definitely need to have top-rate UV proper protection.Choose sunglasses that promise as a minimum 90% UV protection, for maximum love your vision.Baseball enthusiasts oftentimes need a complete use in their healthy eyes around any other an important part of their human body.
And since it’s assumed you are wearing them out in the sun for extended hours in one fell swoop, you will safely assume you’ll also be sweating lots while having on them.This is exactly why you have to choose sunglasses that have anti-corrosive homes
tchettdale posted an update: 3 minutes ago · View
shoes sale
Christian Louboutin
christian louboutin sale
christian louboutin boots
louboutin shoes
Enter your email to be the first to know about breakings news and fun stuff:* Minor League NewsThe J-Bone Zone, Vol. 4: Elbow Status, PN Ranking, HazingProspect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor MayProspect Nation 2012: #3 LHP Jesse BiddleGarcia Again Has Knee SurgeryProspect Nation 2012: #4 RHP Phillippe Aumont
Shop Fan Gear Unlimited for all your Phillies Gear on sale. Check out great deals on stadium seats with backs and great coupons at the Sports Unlimited Facebook page.
2012 Phillies SalariesCharlie Manuel
$3 million
Cliff Lee
$21.5 million
Ryan Howard
$20 million
Roy Halladay
$20 million
Chase Utley
$15 million
Jonathan Papelbon
$11 million
Jimmy Rollins
$11 million
Cole Hamels
$9.5 million
Shane Victorino
$9.5 million
Joe Blanton
$8.5 million
Hunter Pence
$6.9 million
Placido Polanco
$6.25 million
Ty Wigginton
$4 million
Carlos Ruiz
$3.7 million
Jose Contreras
$2.5 million
Kyle Kendrick
$2.45 million
Jim Thome
$1.25 million
Laynce Nix
$1.15 million
Dontrelle Willis
$850,000
Brian Schneider
$800,000
John Mayberry
$414,000
Vance Worley
$405,000
Antonio Bastardo
$405,000
Alliance Tickets Alliance Tickets is your source watching your favorite team live and all your MLB Tickets. We carry a huge selection of cheap Philadelphia Phillies Tickets, Rockies Tickets, Seattle Mariners Tickets, and San Francisco Giants Tickets.Not Affiliated with Major League Baseball or the Philadelphia PhilliesPrivacy Policy | Contact Us
Switch to our mobile site Phillies NationLog InSign Up VisitRandom MemberRandom Group
View the Original article
No comments:
Post a Comment