David Valesente

DAVID VALESENTE
CATCHER
  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
IND:  318/407/409, 154 AB, 9 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 19 BB, 12 K, 5-7 SB

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
A-:  149/200/149, 47 AB, 2 BB, 12 K 1-2 SB

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
A-:  250/297/300, 60 AB, 3 2B, 4 BB, 14 K, 2-3 SB

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.

STATS
Baseball Reference–Minors
Fangraphs
MiLB.com
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2014: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
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
TRANSACTIONS
February 13, 2012: Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.