We performed a site update on April 16, 2013. Please let the admin know if you User_talk:Admin#APRIL_16.2C_2013 encounter any issues. All updates have been performed.
Danny Valencia
From BR Bullpen
Daniel Paul Valencia
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 210 lb.
- School University of Miami
- Debut June 3, 2010
- Born September 19, 1984 in Miami, FL USA
Contents |
[edit] Biographical Information
Danny Valencia is a third baseman for the Minnesota Twins. He was drafted by the Twins in the 19th round of the 2006 amateur draft out of the University of Miami. He was signed by scout Hector Otero and began his pro career that summer.
[edit] Minor leagues
In his first professional season, Valencia batted .311 with eight home runs and 29 runs batted in in 48 games with the Elizabethton Twins to be named a 2006 Appalachian League Post-Season All-Star. Valencia was again selected to the All-Star team in 2007 while playing with the Midwest League Beloit Snappers. Immediately following the game, he was promoted to the high A Fort Myers Miracle, and eared Florida State League "Player of the Week" honors, batting .379 (11-29) with two home runs, three runs scored and ten RBIs for the week of July 16 to 22.
Still assigned to the Miracle for the first half of 2008, he batted .336 with five home runs and 44 RBIs to again be named an All-Star, and help the Miracle capture the FSL 2008 Western Division first half crown. Valencia was promoted to the Twins' AA affiliate, the New Britain Rock Cats for the second half of the season. With the Rock Cats, he batted .289 with ten home runs and 32 RBIs.
Following the season, Valencia played Winter ball with the Arizona Fall League's Phoenix Desert Dogs. With the Desert Dogs, his batting average fell to .209 with no home runs and five RBIs. He spent Spring training with the Twins in 2009 as a non-roster invitee, and was reassigned to New Britain following Spring training.
He ended up splitting the 2009 season between New Britain and the AAA Rochester Red Wings, batting a combined .285 with fourteen home runs and 70 RBIs for his two teams. He was brought up in trade rumors for Freddy Sanchez, Marco Scutaro and Orlando Cabrera (whom the Twins eventually acquired for shortstop Tyler Ladendorf) at the 2009 trading deadline, but the Twins were unwilling to part ways with the third baseman saying that he was one of the top position players of the future. On November 20, 2009, he was added to the Twins' 40 man roster.
[edit] Major league career
Valencia entered the 2010 season ranked as the Twins sixth best prospect by Baseball America. On June 3, he was called up to replace Michael Cuddyer, who had been placed on the bereavement list following the death of his father-in-law. In his debut, he went 1 for 3 and quickly claimed the Twins' regular third base job, playing 85 games with a .311 batting average, 7 homers and 40 RBI, his power showing up towards the end of the season. He then went 2 for 9 with a double during the ALDS against the New York Yankees and after the season was named to the 2010 Topps All-Star Rookie Team.
