BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Signed by the Astros for $450,000 in 2015, Valdez's first four minor league seasons proved undistinguished. After working to stay back on the ball to help him better track pitches and drive the ball to the opposite field, Valdez in 2021 hit a career-high 26 homers, two more than he hit from 2016-19. He followed that with a bonkers performance (.327/.410/.606 with 21 homers in 82 games) for Houston's Double-A and Triple-A teams in 2022 before becoming the lead piece in a deadline deal for catcher Christian Vazquez. Valdez saw his numbers fall with Triple-A Worcester, but the Red Sox added a near big league-ready bat to their 40-man roster.

Scouting Report: Valdez coils with a pronounced crouch and sizable leg kick before exploding into the ball, holding back little while driving balls in the air to all fields, especially against righties. Despite his pre-swing movement, Valdez doesn't have too much swing-and-miss to his game, though his strikeout rate did tick up after the trade. His strength and bat-to-ball skills create the potential for an average hitter with above-average power, though with major questions about his position. A below-average runner, Valdez has limited range at second makes that him a below-average option there, and he doesn't look better at third base or left field.

The Future: Defensive development will determine if Valdez is an up-and-down bat or carves out a stable role as a bat-first platoon contributor off the bench, though there's a chance he could be more. He will open 2023 in Triple-A but should get big league opportunities.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 40. Fielding: 40. Arm: 45.

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