Phillies Nation Player Review: Raul Valdes

Lefty Raul Valdes was a pleasant surprise in 2012 for the Phillies. Whether it was the 2.90 ERA or the 0.742 WHIP in 31.0 IP in 2012, Valdes could be counted on to compete against Major League hitters. In 2013, the bottom fell out.

The most noticeable difference in Valdes’ 2012 and 2013 was his splits: with K/9 IP above his career average and his BB/9 IP below his career average, Valdes’ magic with his 86 MPH fastball against righties ran out in 2013. With career splits that slightly favor him against right-handed batters, righties hit .337/.380/.641 against Valdes in 2013, roughly the equivalent of Ken Griffey

Jr.’s 1997 AL MVP-winning triple-slash.

Grade: F+. Why the F+, you ask? Valdes pitched 13 appearances of more than one inning, leading the team in appearances of more than one inning. Other than that, the magic ran out for Valdes, who was claimed by the Astros Friday afternoon heading into his first arbitration eligible season.