House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves search for hidden talent in the draft – Day 3

By Fred Owens

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 17: General view of SunTrust Park during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals on September 17, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 17: General view of SunTrust Park during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals on September 17, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Braves Javier Valdez, not Juan Valdez.(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) /

Javier Valdes C, R/R; 5-10, 195; NR

Round 21 – overall pick 637; Florida International Univ. (FL)

In his 2016 Perfect Game profile, Valdes is listed as 2B/SS/3B. Somewhere along the way, FIU decided the “short arm action (that) produces strong throws . . . and shows carry without much effort” described by PG might solve a problem behind the plate.

Valdes is smaller than the average catcher but that didn’t stop Pudge Rodriguez from going to the Hall of Fame. His stats show a high walk rate and some power that could easily increase as Rodriguez’ did during his career.

FIU lists him as an infielder, which seems to indicate he played a lot of positions there. Austin Barnes is that kind of player for the Dodgers, giving his manager lots of flexibility.

Year Age PA AB 2B 3B HR BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS wOBA
2017 18 234 195 11 1 5 16 39 .287 .380 .431 .811 .354
2018 19 206 181 10 0 3 11 25 .282 .345 .387 .732 .323
2019 20 198 161 9 1 8 27 33 .255 .379 .472 .851 .366
Totals 3 yrs 638 537 30 2 16 54 97 .276 .369 .428 .797  

Statistics from The Baseball Cube

Alex Segal LHP L/L; 6-4, 190; NR

Round 22 Overall pick 667 Wichita State (KS)

This is Segal’s second selection in the Amateur Draft. The Blue Jays took him in round #38 of the 2016 draft. He chose to attend Wichita State and red-shirted as a freshman.

Unlike the earlier relievers, Segal’s worked primarily as a middle inning – multiple inning arm. While he does strike out batters, he also walks a good number as well. His college bio page says he redshirted two years so he has two more years to try to move up the draft ladder.  I’d do that.

Year Age G W L SV IP BB SO HR ERA WHIP 
2018 20 14 0 0 0 21 12 30 0 3.8 1.22
2019 21 29 1 1 2 31 26 41 2 5.68 1.52
Totals 2 yrs 43 1 1 2 52 38 71 2 4.92 1.4

Drew Campbell OF (CF) L/L; 5-11, 170; NR

Round 23 overall pick 697 Louisville (KY)

Campbell finished the 2019 season with more walks than strikeouts on the season and according to the TCZ :

". . . had the second longest hitting streak for a Louisville player in 2019, driving in a base hit in 11 straight games and coming second only to Tyler Fitzgerald’s 18 game hitting streak."

I read one report that said he was a plus defender in center as well.

Year Age PA AB 2B 3B HR BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS wOBA
2018 19 189 160 8 2 2 13 24 .313 .374 .425 .799 .347
2019 20 183 153 12 0 2 20 17 .281 .372 .399 .771 .337
Totals 2 yrs 372 313 20 2 4 33 41 .297 .373 .412 .785  

Statistics from The Baseball Cube

That’s a wrap

Javy Valdes is an interesting player, but with all due respect to players chasing their dream, the bottom of the barrel is visible from here. The idea posited a few days back, that the Atlanta Braves were trying to sign every selectee is incorrect.

Next. The seven who came before. dark

Senior-signs are the only way to guarantee such a plan works, and many of these players have at least one more year before they have to choose between signing, play independent league ball, or moving on with their lives apart from baseball.

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