Valera is one of many Indians prospects that have an innate ability to put the bat on the ball.
6 Cleveland Indians prospect.
Sweet-swinging outfielder George Valera is our No. 5' 10" / 160. The 2019 season was essentially his debut in professional baseball, while it wasn't a spectacular debut it was a solid performance against much older competition, which is indicative of future success. The Official Site of Major League Baseball. August 26, 2019 : CF George Valera assigned to Lake County Captains from Mahoning … Valera’s defense and speed are both average (50) tools, but that’s 5 - tools that should be average or better. As he swings, he rests his weight on his back leg with his knee bent and he steps with his front foot into the swing. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Born: 11/13/2000 - Height: 5’10 - Weight: 160 - Bats: Left - Throws: LeftThe Indians signed Valera for $1.5 million as an international free agent from Venezuela. In fact, some of the strikeouts were manufactured by way of Valera’s watchful eye at the plate. Updated Jul 10, 2020; Posted Jul 10, 2020 . To learn more or opt-out, read our The sweet-swinging outfielder won the fan vote by a wide margin.Sweet-swinging outfielder George Valera is our No. 6 Tribe fans finally got a decent look at Valera in 2019 after he only played six games in 2018 before injuring his hamate bone, and they liked what they saw.Valera showcased power to all fields during his 46-game stint with Low-A Mahoning Valley, where he led the league in home runs before missing two weeks with an injury and then getting promoted to Lake County.The 19-year-old put up an impressive 142 wRC+ with the Scrappers, combining his elite power with a career-best 15.4% walk rate.Defensively, most scouts predict Valera will be a corner outfielder, but he played the majority of his games at center field in 2019, racking up an impressive nine outfield assists over 46 games.Valera is still looking for consistency, but when he’s on, like his Look for Valera to begin his 2020 season in Single-A Lake County, where he’ll hopefully have a full season to show what he’s capable of.2019 (AAA): 18 GS, 80.0 IP, 22.3 K%, 9.3 BB%, 5.85 ERA, 5.57 FIP2019 (MLB): 4 GS, 27.2 IP, 13.4 K%, 10.2 BB%, 6.18 ERA, 5.49 FIP2019 (R): 137 PA, .296/.416/.593, 6 HR, 4 SB, 16.8 BB%, 15.3 K%, 162 wRC+2019 (A-): 32 PA, .222/.344/.481, 2 HR, 0 SB, 15.6 BB%, 25.0 K%, 141 wRC+2019 (AAA): 453 PA, .264/.344/.567, 33 HR, 0 SB, 10.2 BB%, 33.8 K%, 125 wRC+2019 (MLB): 49 PA, .178/.245/.356, 1 HR, 0 SB, 8.2 BB%, 40.8 K%, 51 wRC+2019 (R): 6 GS, 13.2 IP, 30.2 K%, 9.4 BB%, 1.98 ERA, 4.20 FIP2019 (A-): 3 GS, 10.0 IP, 40.0 K%, 11.1 BB%, 6.30 ERA, 2.60 FIP2019 (A-): 8 GS, 38.2 IP, 27.9 K%, 11.7 BB%, 1.20 ERA, 3.22 FIP2019 (A): 5 GS, 21.1 IP, 29.8 K%, 12.8 BB%, 4.64 ERA, 4.28 FIP2019 (R): 3 G, 3.0 IP, 72.7 K%, 18.2 BB%, 0.00 ERA, 0.94 FIP2019 (AA): 10 G, 10.0 IP, 66.7 K%, 5.6 BB%, 0.00 ERA, -1.03 FIP2019 (AAA): 17 G, 17.1 IP, 53.9 K%, 16.7 BB%, 4.67 ERA, 2.53 FIP2019 (MLB): 5 G, 5.1 IP, 36.4 K%, 4.6 BB%, 1.69 ERA, 0.78 FIP2019 (A-): 295 PA, .250/.310/.373, 5 HR, 14 SB, 6.8 BB%, 13.6 K%, 107 wRC+
While he lacks the speed for centerfield the experience there and in both corners should serve him well as he seems likely to make the transition to a corner outfield spot at some point in the future.As I stated above Valera struggled to hit left-handed pitching in 2019 striking out 19 times in 47 AB’s (in 58 combined plate appearances) while drawing more walks (9) than hits (6). September 22, 2019: CF George Valera assigned to Mahoning Valley Scrappers from Lake County Captains. While at Short Season Mahoning Valley Valera struck out 27.7% of the time while walking 15.4% of the time producing a 0.56 BB/K ratio. Is adding Naylor, Quantrill, Arias and more really good for fans?N&N: Bats, bullpen, both disappoint in loss to RoyalsHis bat may be useless but his glove certainly is notBreaking down the Indians’ return from the Mike Clevinger trade This is evidence of both his need to reduce his number of strikeouts, but also the advanced eye he displays at the plate. Valera seems to move smoothly and coordinates his parts well.Valera spent the majority of his 2019 season in center field, but projects more as a corner outfielder long term. It is worth noting it was a small sample (47 AB’s) and Valera’s overall youth and inexperience (it was essentially his debut season) provides hope for improvement. Overall, I graded George Valera as a 50+ prospect with the potential to develop into a 60 type player with All-Star potential. In 2019, Valera hit .236 with 8 homers, 7 doubles and 1 triple with 29 RBI’s. In 2019, he recorded 75 putouts with 9 assists, 1 error and was part of 5 double plays in 46 games. Reported as pre-2020. His arm is average (50) to above average (55) and reports vary on his arm strength, but in my views, it looks above average. 3 ranking in 2019.. Posted Apr 07, 2020 . March 1, 2020: Cleveland Indians invited non-roster CF George Valera to spring training.
He seems likely to slow as he fills out his frame as he matures. He holds the knob of the bat at letter height and rests the bat across his shoulder. The developmental path ahead is still long, but he displays an advanced approach at the plate, which will benefit him as he progresses through the system. I project him as a left fielder with fringe-average speed (45) and an average to above average (55) arm as he matures physically. George Valera, CF, Cleveland Indians, stats and updates at CBSSports.com.
By Joe Noga, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio …
Valera made his organizational debut in 2018 with the Arizona League Indians but saw his season limited to just 6 games because of a hamate injury. Bats/Throws: L/L. Young OF George Valera comes in at #2 on our 2020 Top 50 list with an array of tools and polish. Birthdate: 11/13/2000 (19 y, 9 m, 13 d) Rule 5 Eligible: Dec'21.
On the bases and in the field, Valera isn't a burner, but he displays average speed.
George Valera might think he’s the Invisible Man and 3 things we learned Friday about the Cleveland Indians. The young outfielder was the second youngest (teammate Brayan Rocchio was youngest) starting position player in the New York - Penn League on average 3 years younger than his peers.