Wilson Valdez

Injuries forced the Phillies to give Valdez a lot of playing time for the second year in a row. He's a very good defender, but he offers little with the bat. Valdez has always posted a solid contact rate, but he's typically hit those balls on the ground and is prone to double plays. He does have decent speed, but since he doesn't get on base a lot his stolen-base numbers have been low. The Phillies are expected to carry Valdez as a reserve again this season. He does have some batting average upside if he has a lucky season where more of his groundballs get through the infield so, assuming he gets some playing time again this year, he makes an OK endgame pick in deep leagues. That said, there are probably going to be better options at the end of your draft to speculate on.

Valdez spent last season filling in for Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley while the two star infielders missed time with injuries. Valdez hit .258 for the Phils and played excellent defense in the field, but he also grounded into 20 double plays. His walk rate is poor, and he has little pop or speed on the basepaths. Valdez is well suited to a bench job, and that is precisely the role he'll go back to this season.

The Mets acquired Valdez from the Indians in late-May, solely due to injuries at shortstop. He bounced between the majors and minors and was allowed to walk after the year. The Phillies signed Valdez to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, and at best he will be a backup middle infielder.

Valdez unexpectedly earned a spot on the Dodgers' Opening Day roster in 2007 after hitting .377 in 61 at-bats during spring training, but he was quickly designated for assignment and ended up spending most of the year in Triple-A, where he hit .343 in 361 at-bats. Valdez though simply does not have the skills to hit at the big league level (.211 with one home run in 256 career at-bats). He'll play overseas this year after his contract was sold to the Kia Tigers of the Korean League.

Valdez came over from the Royals in March 2006 trade. He's expected to provide organizational depth up the middle and will once again open the year in Triple-A Las Vegas assuming he stays in the organization.

Valdez was hitting for a good average in Albuquerque when he was dealt to the White Sox for Billy Koch. Juan Uribe blocks him at shortstop, but Valdez probably doesn't have the chops to be a big league shortstop anyway -- utility infielder seems more his speed.

Valdez's bat finally showed a bit of life in Double-A, but what batting eye he'd developed went away again after he was bumped up a level. His 49 steals will keep him a prospect in some people's books, but he'll be 26 in 2004, and isn't the answer to anybody's question at shortstop.

Valdez turned 24 last May, and all he could manage was a .294 OBP in Double-A. Only the organization's lack of depth at shortstop explains his continued presence on the 40-man roster.