| Danny Valencia | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Valencia with theBaltimore Orioles in 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Third baseman | |||||||||||||||
| Born: (1984-09-19)September 19, 1984 (age 41) Miami, Florida, U.S. | |||||||||||||||
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |||||||||||||||
| MLB debut | |||||||||||||||
| June 3, 2010, for the Minnesota Twins | |||||||||||||||
| Last MLB appearance | |||||||||||||||
| August 8, 2018, for the Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics | |||||||||||||||
| Batting average | .268 | ||||||||||||||
| Home runs | 96 | ||||||||||||||
| Runs batted in | 397 | ||||||||||||||
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |||||||||||||||
| Teams | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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Daniel Paul Valencia (Hebrew:דני ולנסיה; born September 19, 1984) is anAmerican-Israeli professionalbaseball player who currently plays for theIsrael national baseball team. He has played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theMinnesota Twins,Boston Red Sox,Baltimore Orioles,Kansas City Royals,Toronto Blue Jays,Oakland Athletics, andSeattle Mariners.
In high school, Valencia was all-county three times and all-state twice. At theUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro, he wasSouthern Conference Freshman of the Year, second-team all-conference, and on his all-regional team. He was drafted while he was a junior at theUniversity of Miami by the Twins in the 19th round of the2006 Major League Baseball draft, the 576th player overall. In the minors, Valencia was an All-Star in theAppalachian League (2006), theMidwest League (2007), and theFlorida State League (2008). He entered the 2010 season ranked as the sixth-best prospect of the Twins byBaseball America.
Valencia made his major league debut with the Twins in June 2010. He was named the third baseman onBaseball America's 2010 All-Rookie Team, and on the 2010 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team. In 2011, he led the Twins in RBIs, and led all major league third basemen in assists. In 2013, he batted .371 vs. left-handed pitching, leading the American League, and ranked third inslugging percentage at .639 (minimum 100 plate appearances). In January 2017 Valencia was confirmed to be on the roster forIsrael at the 2017 World Baseball Classic; however, when the final roster was released, he was not included.[1][2][3] Over the course of his career through 2018, he batted .312/.370/.494 against left-handed pitchers. Through the 2018 season, his 96 home runs placed him 10th on the career all-time list of Jewish major leaguers (directly behindMike Epstein, and ahead ofJoc Pederson), as did his 397 RBIs (tied withHarry Danning, and behindBrad Ausmus).[4]
In September 2019, Valencia obtainedIsraeli citizenship and joined Team Israel. He played for Team Israel at the2019 European Baseball Championship. He also played for the team at theAfrica/Europe 2020 Olympic Qualification tournament in Italy in September 2019, which Israel won to qualify to playbaseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics. He played first base for Team Israel at the2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo in the summer of 2021, and tied for the lead at the Olympics with three home runs. He played forTeam Israel in the2023 World Baseball Classic.
Valencia was born inMiami,Florida.[5] His parents are Mindy Valencia, who isJewish, and Michael Valencia, a Cuban immigrant whoconverted to Judaism.[6][7]
Valencia and his sister Laura were raised inBoca Raton, Florida.[8][9][10][11][12] They were raised Jewish. Acknowledging his uncommon combination of heritage, he has said: "People are shocked at first that I’m Jewish. I get teased in the clubhouse about being Jewish, but we all get teased about something. Going toHebrew school and being abar mitzvah … made my mom really happy. I wished I had been out playing baseball, but looking back at it now, I’m happy I did it."[13][14][15][16]
In 1996, Valencia pitched for the Boca RatonBabe Ruth League 12-and-under all-star baseball team that won the Florida state championship. The next year, hepitched andhit for the Boca Lightning 12-and-under travel baseball team that went 27–2 and won the South Florida All-Star Travel League championship.[17] His two key hitting coaches growing up wereBob Molinaro, a family friend who is a former major leaguer andEastern League manager, and Valencia's mother Mindy.[18]
Valencia attendedSpanish River High School and playedshortstop for four years on its Sharks baseball team. He earnedSouth Florida Sun-Sentinel All-County honors as a junior, and was named first team All-Palm Beach County three times and second-team All-State twice.[9][11][19][20] As a junior, in 2002 he was Offensive Player of the Year after hitting .430, and as a senior in 2003 he hit .575.[9]
Although Valencia had dreamed of playing for the University of Miami, its baseball program did not recruit him, and instead he went to theUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro, one of two teams that had offered him a full baseball scholarship. In his freshman year, Valencia playedthird base and batted .338 with a .527slugging percentage and a team-leading 8home runs.[9][10][20] He was the 2004Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, and was voted second-team All-Conference.[10]
Homesick for Florida, Valencia sought to transfer to theUniversity of Miami after his freshman year, even though it only offered him a modest scholarship. UNC-Greensboro initially agreed to release Valencia from his scholarship, but later refused, placing him in jeopardy of losing a year of college eligibility underNCAA Division I rules. He appealed to a university committee which ruled in his favor, allowing him to leave while preserving his eligibility.[10][12]
During his sophomore year, Valencia playedfirst base for theUniversity of Miami Hurricanes alongside then-third-basemanRyan Braun. He hit .300 and drove in 63 runs while batting fifth in the lineup, and was named to the All-Regional Team.[21][22] By his sophomore year of college, he had added 40 pounds.[9][11][22][23] "It's night and day" from UNC-Greensboro, said Valencia. "It's awesome. It's what every Florida kid dreams of. It's the program–the winning, the uniforms. Everything from the strength coach to the facilities is completely different."[22] During the summer of 2005, he played third base for theAnchorage Glacier Pilots in theAlaska Baseball League.[19]
When Braun left to join theMilwaukee Brewers' farm system in 2005, Valencia replaced him at third base for his junior year, batting .324 with a .475 slugging percentage.[19][24] Valencia hit .312 with 124runs batted in (RBIs) in 122 games over two years with the Hurricanes, and played in theCollege World Series.[18] Valencia then played seven games for theOrleans Cardinals in theCape Cod League in the summer of 2006.[25][26]
Drafted in the 19th round of the 2006 draft by the Minnesota Twins, the 576th player overall, he skipped his senior year of college to begin his pro career.[27][28] Valencia was disappointed in his draft position, but said: "realistically, it does not change things for me. My goal has always been to get to the big leagues... It does not matter where you start, but where you finish."[29]
In 2006 when he was drafted by the Twins, he took a leave of absence from college, but promised his parents he would ultimately finish his degree.[30] As of the Fall of 2019, he was taking four online courses and had seven more courses to complete before earning his degree from the University of Miami.[30]
In his first professional season, Valencia played first and third base with theElizabethton Twins. He compiled a .311 batting average (ninth in the league, and fifth in the Twins' organization) and a .505 slugging percentage (sixth in the league), with eight home runs (fourth in the league) and 29 RBIs in 48 games. He was also fifth in the league in at-bats-per-home-run.[31] Valencia was named a 2006Appalachian League Postseason All-Star, and then batted .364 in the playoffs.[32][33][34]
Valencia was selected as aMidwest League All Star in 2007, while playing with theBeloit Snappers, for whom he batted .302/.374/.500 (4th in the league).[28][35] His Beloit teammates nicknamed him "The Franchise".[36] ManagerJeff Smith lauded him for using the whole field when he batted, and for patience at the plate.[36]
Immediately following the All Star game, he was promoted to the high AFort Myers Miracle. Valencia earnedFlorida State League (FSL) "Player of the Week" honors, batting .379 (11–29) with two home runs, threeruns scored, and 10 RBIs for the week of July 16. He hit a combined .297/.354/.462 with 17 homers and 66 RBIs at Beloit and Fort Myers.[37]
Again assigned to the Miracle for the first half of 2008, he batted a league-leading .336 with a league-leading 74 hits, and five home runs and 44 RBIs (second in the league), a .402 on-base percentage, and a .518 slugging percentage. Valencia was named a Florida State League All Star, and helped the Miracle capture the FSL 2008 Western Division first half crown.[38][39][40]Jim Rantz, director of minor leagues for the Twins, said that he expected Valencia would hit for both power and average.[38]
Valencia was promoted to the Twins' Double-A affiliate, theNew Britain Rock Cats, for the second half of the season. With the Rock Cats, Valencia batted .289 with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs. Between the two teams, he batted .311 (sixth in the Twins' system), with 15 home runs and 76 RBIs (fourth in the Twins' system).[41][42]
With the Rock Cats to start 2009, he was voted the Eastern League Player of the Week Award for the week ending May 24, after batting .444 with a .778 slugging percentage.[43] Rock Cats managerTom Nieto said: "Danny's going to be a special player. He's got an electric bat."[18] He hit 38 doubles during the season, tied for the most in the Twins' organization.[44]
Following the season, Valencia played 31 games of winter ball with theArizona Fall League'sPhoenix Desert Dogs. He spent spring training with the Twins in 2009 as a non-roster invitee, batting .429, and was assigned to New Britain following spring training.[45][46]Baseball America ranked him as the fifth-best prospect in the Twins' organization.[47]
During the 2009 season, Valencia first played for New Britain and was then promoted to the Triple-ARochester Red Wings. He batted a combined .285 with 14 home runs and 70 RBIs for the two teams. The Twins management indicated that it felt that Valencia would be one of the top position players of the future.[48][49][50] On November 20, 2009, he was added to the Twins' 40-man roster.[51] Rantz said: "We're still trying to fill the third-base hole. Eventually ... we're all hoping that [Valencia will] be that guy."[52]
He then played for theIndios de Mayagüez in thePuerto Rico winter league, and as a foreign-born player (of Cuban heritage) for Team Puerto Rico in theCaribbean Series.[53][54] Twins general managerBill Smith said in December: "I give Danny Valencia credit. He's down in Puerto Rico right now playing winter ball, and trying to get better.... You always want an underdog guy, somebody to step up when presented with an opportunity."[55] Hector Otero, the Twins scout who signed Valencia and who was the general manager of the Mayagüez club, said: "I think he is a talented player. He definitely can throw. He worked on his defense–worked extra before games–and everyone knows he can swing the bat."[56]
Valencia entered the 2010 season ranked as the Twins' sixth-best prospect byBaseball America.[57] He began 2010 playing third base for Rochester, and was batting .292 in 48 games when he was called up by the parent club.[58]
In 2013, Valencia batted .286 with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs in 262 at bats with the Triple-ANorfolk Tides, and a .531 slugging percentage that would have ranked second in theInternational League if he had reached the minimum number of at bats.[59]
Assessing Valencia's hitting during 2010 spring training, Twins managerRon Gardenhire said: "I guarantee you one thing, he can hit afastball; and if he sits on abreaking ball, he can hit that, too."[60] On June 3, Valencia was called up to replaceMichael Cuddyer, who had been placed on the bereavement list following the death of his father-in-law.[61] In his debut that day, Valencia went 1 for 3.[62][63]
On July 26, Valencia hit agrand slam off reigning AL Cy Young winnerZack Greinke to record his first big league homer. The feat marked the first time in the 49 years of Twins franchise history that a player's first Major League home run was a grand slam. The game was also his first four-hit performance. The next day, Valencia became the first Twins rookie to have back-to-back games with four hits apiece.
In 2010, Valencia hit .394 with runners in scoring position. That was best in the AL (ahead ofJosh Hamilton) among those with at least 75plate appearances in that situation.[13][64][65] On defense, he had the fifth-bestfielding percentage among AL third basemen (.973).[66]
For the season, his .311 batting average (the best by a Twins rookie in 46 years; he hit .374 against left-handers), .448 slugging percentage, and .799 OPS were the highest among AL rookies with 300 or more plate appearances.[13][67] Valencia came in 3rd among AL rookies in hits (93) and total bases (134).[67] In 65 games after the All Star break, he led AL rookies in batting (.311), RBIs (37), and doubles (16).[68]
Valencia was named the third baseman onBaseball America's 2010 All-Rookie Team, and the third baseman on the 2010ToppsMajor League Rookie All-Star Team.[69][70] He was also named the Twins' Most Outstanding Rookie (the Bill Boni Award).[71] He came in third in the voting for 2010AL Rookie of the Year, with one second-place vote and nine third-place votes.[68]
In 2011, Valencia batted .246 (.309 against left-handers), with 15 home runs and a team-leading 72 RBIs.[66] He also led the team in games played and at bats, and led the AL in games played at third base.[59] On defense, he led the all major league third basemen inassists, with 260.[72]
In 2012, Valencia was replaced byTrevor Plouffe as the team's everyday third baseman after mediocre play during the season.[73] After Plouffe was placed on the DL, Valencia returned to the Twins roster on July 27.
Valencia was hitting .205 with two home runs with the Twins when he was traded to theBoston Red Sox on August 5. Minnesota received minor league outfielder Jeremias Pineda in return.[74] The Red Sox optioned Valencia to their Triple-A affiliatePawtucket Red Sox. He was recalled from Pawtucket on August 11 whenWill Middlebrooks was placed on thedisabled list with a broken right wrist.[75]Valencia was sent back to Pawtucket on August 21,[76] before being recalled again on September 25.[77] He remained with the major league club for the rest of the season, appearing in six games. On November 20, Valencia wasdesignated for assignment along with four other Red Sox players.[78]
Valencia was traded to theBaltimore Orioles for cash considerations eight days later, on November 28, 2012.[79]
Valencia was recalled from the Triple-ANorfolk Tides on August 19, 2013.[80]
He batted .304 for the season, with a .553 slugging percentage.[66] Valencia batted .371 vs. left-handed pitching, leading the American League, and ranked third in slugging percentage at .639 (minimum 100 plate appearances).[59] He excelled atCamden Yards, batting .394/.403/.676 at home.[81]
He was eligible forarbitration after the season.[82] Valencia was traded to theKansas City Royals for outfielderDavid Lough on December 18, 2013.[83]
On May 22, 2014, Valencia was given the starting third baseman job by the Royals, after hitting .308 in his first 16 games.[84] He batted .282 in 110 at bats, before being traded.[66]
On July 28, 2014, Valencia was traded to theToronto Blue Jays for pitcherLiam Hendriks and catcherErik Kratz.[85] In the offseason, Valencia won his salary arbitration case against the Blue Jays, and was awarded a one-year contract worth $1.675 million.[86]
In 2015 for the Blue Jays, he batted .296/.331/.506.[66] On August 1, 2015, Valencia was designated for assignment.[87]
TheOakland Athletics claimed Valencia offwaivers on August 3, 2015.[88] He debuted with the team on August 5, starting at third base.[89] In 2015, he batted .284/.356/.530 for the Athletics, and batted .290/.345/.519 with 18 home runs in 345 at bats between the A's and Blue Jays.[90] His .980 fielding percentage at third base was the highest among Major League third basemen with 50 or more games.[59]
In August 2016, Valencia was involved in a clubhouse fight withBilly Butler. Both players were fined, but neither was suspended, and Butler was released the following month.[91][92]
In 2016, Valencia batted .287 (.318 against left-handers)/.346/.446 with 72 runs (a career high), 22 doubles, 17 home runs (third on the team), and 51 RBIs in 517 plate appearances.[93][94][92] He played first base, third base, right field, and left field.[93] He earned $3.15 million.[95]
On November 12, 2016, Valencia was traded to theSeattle Mariners in exchange for pitcherPaul Blackburn.[96] General managerJerry Dipoto brought in Valencia as a way to give added flexibility to the roster, in particular to relieve first basemanDan Vogelbach or third basemanKyle Seager.[94]
In June 2017, he had hits in nine consecutive at bats, tying the Mariners record set byRaúl Ibañez in 2004.[97] Later that month the Mariners avoided arbitration and signed him for $5.5 million.[98]
In 2017, Valencia batted .256 (.340 with runners in scoring position) with 3 triples (a career high), 15 home runs, 8 sacrifice flies (4th in the AL), and 66 RBIs in 450 at bats, as he played primarily first base while also playing 10 games in the outfield and one at third base.[66]
Valencia became afree agent on November 2, 2017.[99]
On March 2, 2018, Valencia signed a major league contract with theBaltimore Orioles.[100] The contract called for a $1.2 million base salary, and up to $3 million in incentives.[101] NBC Sports opined that Valencia could platoon in right field withColby Rasmus (while others conjectured that he might platoon with first basemanChris Davis or back up third basemanTim Beckham), and back up a number of other positions.[102][103][104] He earned a spot on the Orioles' Opening Day roster, by mid-summer was Baltimore's everyday starting third baseman, and batted .325 after the All Star break.[105][106][107] On August 2, Valencia became the 8th position player in Baltimore history to pitch, coming in with the Texas Rangers up 17-8, striking outJoey Gallo, the only batter he faced.[108][109]
Valencia was designated for assignment on August 10, 2018, and released five days later.[106] In 2018 he batted .263/.316/.408 (.303/.368/.505 against left-handers), with 9 home runs in 255 at bats.[93][110]
Over the course of his career through 2018, he batted .312/.370/.494 against left-handed pitchers, with 37 home runs and 165 RBIs in 1,004 at bats.[93] During his career through 2018, Valencia had played 507 games at third base, 163 games at first base, 71 games in right field, 33 games in left field, 9 games at second base, and 1 game as a pitcher.[93]
On July 2, 2021, Valencia signed with theLong Island Ducks of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball in order to prepare for the Olympics. In 6 games he struggled mightily going 3-18 (.167) with 0 home runs and 2 RBIs.
In September 2019, Valencia obtainedIsraeli citizenship and joinedTeam Israel for the2019 European Baseball Championship in Germany from September 7–15, 2019.[111][112][113]
He also played for the team at theAfrica/Europe 2020 Olympic Qualification tournament in Italy in September 2019, which Israel won to qualify to playbaseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.[114] Valencia led all players in the tournament in runs (7), home runs (3), RBIs (9), walks (5), and slugging percentage (1.000), while batting .375 with a .500 on base percentage in 16 at bats, and playing first base and DH.[115] As to his joining Team Israel, Valencia said: "I can’t lie. My mother was heavily behind this."[116]
On June 21, 2021, in preparation for the games (which were postponed to 2021 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic), Valencia signed a contract with theLong Island Ducks of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. He played with the club from July 2 to July 8, after which he joined Team Israel on abarnstorming tour in the Northeastern United States to further prepare for Tokyo.[117]
He played first base for Team Israel at the2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo in the summer of 2021, tied for the lead at the Olympics with three home runs, and batted .278 with a .778 slugging percentage (4th in the Olympics) in 18 at bats, with six runs (2nd) and seven RBIs (tied for 2nd).[118]
Commenting on his experience playing for Team Israel, Valencia said: "I loved it.... On Friday nights, we hadShabbat dinner with prayers, toasts, and breaking bread with the boys. [And during the pre-game playing ofHatikvah, Israel’s national anthem] we kept our hats on for our national anthem—to show that God is above. We took our hats off for the national anthems of the other countries."[30]
Valencia played forTeam Israel in the2023 World Baseball Classic, in Miami in March.[119][120][121] He played for Team Israel managerIan Kinsler, and alongside two-time All Star outfielderJoc Pederson, starting pitcherDean Kremer, and others.[122][123][124]
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