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DAVID VALESENTE
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CATCHER
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Born: July 15, 1988 Height: 6’2″ Weight: 200 Bats: Right Throws: Right Signed: Free Agent, 2012 How Acquired: Undrafted Free Agent College: St. Joseph’s University Agent: N/A |
WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES |
| Valesente was a four-year starter at St. Joseph’s. He generally hit for average with good plate discipline and modest power. His best season was his junior year, 2009, when he hit 369/459/563 with 20 walks and 27 strikeouts in ABs. He was never drafted and went to the independent Pecos League after college. The Pirates signed him shortly before spring training in 2012.
2011 As in college, Valesente hit for average and controlled the strike zone very well, but didn’t show much power. He played third almost exclusively and had serious problems with errors, committing 15 in 47 games, leading to an ugly fielding percentage of .847. 2012 The Pirates moved Valesente to catcher and it appears he’ll be an organizational backstop. He opened the season in extended spring training, then made occasional appearances at State College. He caught a half dozen games and made a few appearances as a substitute in the outfield and at third. 2013 Valesente served more or less as a third catcher at Jamestown. He caught 13 games and threw out 26% of opposing base stealers. Valesente will probably continue to catch at the lower levels and/or in extended spring training. |
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STATS
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| Baseball Reference–Minors Fangraphs MiLB.com |
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CONTRACT INFORMATION
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| 2014: Minor league contract |
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PLAYER INFORMATION
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| Signing Bonus: N/A MiLB Debut: N/A MLB Debut: N/A MiLB FA Eligible: 2018 MLB FA Eligible: N/A Rule 5 Eligible: 2015 Added to 40-Man: N/A Options Remaining: 3 MLB Service Time: 0.000 |
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TRANSACTIONS
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| February 13, 2012: Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates. |