Jonawel Valdez
Position: RHP
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 185 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 03/19/2004
Country: Dominican Republic
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2022
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2027
Minor League Free Agency: 2029
Options Left: 3
Overview
Valdez was a late signing in the 2022 international signing period. He throws around 92 mph, with a slider, curve and change.
2023-24
In his debut, Valdez had decent walk and K rates, but he got hit around some. Opponents batted .302 against him, but most of the damage came in a bad month of August. He pitched well before that. In 2024, he opened the season in the DSL and pitched well over three starts, with three walks and 20 strikeouts in 12 innings. The Pirates moved him up to the FCL in an uncommon in-season promotion and he had a 3.07 ERA in 14.2 IP. His other numbers, though, weren’t good, including a WHIP of 1.64. Valdez relies heavily on a slider, and adds a curve and change. His fastball sits a little over 90 mph.
Stats
Transactions
December 07, 2022: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.