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{{Infobox MLB player {{Infobox MLB player
|name=Danny Valencia |name =Danny Valencia
|image =
⚫ |team=Minnesota Twins
|width =240
⚫ |number=19
|caption =
⚫ |position=]
⚫ |team =Minnesota Twins
⚫ |birthdate={{birth date and age|mf=yes|1984|9|19}}
⚫ |number =19
⚫ |position =]
⚫ |birthdate ={{birth date and age|mf=yes|1984|9|19}}
|birthplace={{city-state|Boca Raton|Florida}} |birthplace={{city-state|Boca Raton|Florida}}
|bats=Right |bats =Right
|throws=Right |throws =Right
|debutdate=June 3 |debutdate=June 3
|debutyear=2010 |debutyear=2010
|debutteam=Minnesota Twins |debutteam=Minnesota Twins
|statyear=July 26, 2010 |statyear=July 10, 2010
|stat1label=] |stat1label=]
|stat1value=.400 |stat1value=.315
|stat2label=]s |stat2label=]
|stat2value=1 |stat2value=0
|stat3label=] |stat3label=]
|stat3value=12 |stat3value=2
|stat4label=]
⚫ |teams=<nowiki></nowiki>
|stat4value=.383
|stat5label=]
|stat5value=.333
⚫ |teams =<nowiki></nowiki>
*] ({{by|2010}}–present) *] ({{by|2010}}–present)
}} }}
'''Daniel Paul Valencia''' (born September 19, 1984, in ]) is a ] for the ].<ref name="BR-Valencia">{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valenda01.shtml |title=Danny Valencia Statistics and History |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date= |accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref> '''Daniel Paul Valencia''' (born September 19, 1984 in {{city-state|Boca Raton|Florida}}) is a ] in the ]' organization. He was drafted by the Twins in the 19th round of the ] out of the ].

In high school, he was all-county three times and all-state twice. In college, he was ] Freshman of the Year, second-team all-conference, and on his all-regional team. He was drafted while he was a junior at the ], by the Twins in the 19th round of the ], the 576th player chosen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.cgi?overall_pick=576&draft_type=junreg&query_type=overall_pick |title=576th Picks Overall in the MLB June Amateur Draft |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date= |accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref>

In the minors, Valencia was an All-Star in the ] (2006), the ] (2007), and the ] (2008). He entered the {{by|2010}} season ranked as the Twins' sixth-best prospect by '']''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2010/269381.html|title=Top 10 Prospects: Minnesota Twins|author=John Manuel|date=January 12, 2010|accessdate=July 3, 2010|work=]}}</ref>

Valencia made his major league debut with the Twins on June 3, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300603112&teams=minnesota-twins-vs-seattle-mariners |title=Minnesota Twins vs. Seattle Mariners - Recap - June 3, 2010 |publisher=] |date=June 3, 2010 |accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref>


==Early life== ==Early life==
⚫ In {{by|1996}}, Valencia pitched for the Boca Raton ] 12-and-under all-star baseball team that won the state championship, and in 1997 he pitched and hit for the Boca Lightning 12-and-under travel baseball team that went 27–2 and won the South Florida All-Star Travel League championship.<ref>{{cite news|last=Heeren |first=Dave |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/keyword/danny-valencia/recent/3 |title=Articles about Danny Valencia by Date – Page 3 |publisher=''South Florida Sun-Sentinel''|date= |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref>
Valencia, who is Jewish, was born in Miami, Florida, to Michael and Mindy Valencia.<ref name="BR-Valencia"/> He grew up in Boca Raton, Florida, and has a sister, Laura.<ref name="jewishbaseballnews1">{{cite news|url=http://www.jewishbaseballnews.com/minnesota-twins-rookie-is-jewish/ |title=Minnesota Twins Rookie is Jewish |publisher=Jewish Baseball News |date=July 1, 2010 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/valencia_danny00.html |title=Player Bio: Danny Valencia – Miami Official Athletic Site |publisher=Hurricanesports.cstv.com |date= |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="sun-sentinel2005">{{cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2005-02-11/news/0502110177_1_school-baseball-game-scholarship-change-schools |title=Future Investment; Transfer Danny Valencia Hopes To Garner Attention – And a Full Ride|author=Omar Kelly | publisher= ] |date=February 11, 2005 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated2">. Retrieved July 4, 2010.</ref><ref name="findarticles1">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/palm-beach-post/mi_8163/is_20050201/valencia-blossoms/ai_n51866037/ |title=Valencia Blossoms |author=Jorge Milian|publisher=] |date=February 1, 2005 |accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref>


⚫ ==High school==
⚫ In 1996, Valencia pitched for the Boca Raton ] 12-and-under all-star baseball team that won the Florida state championship, and in 1997 he pitched and hit for the Boca Lightning 12-and-under travel baseball team that went 27–2 and won the South Florida All-Star Travel League championship.<ref>{{cite news|last=Heeren |first=Dave |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/keyword/danny-valencia/recent/3 |title=Articles about Danny Valencia by Date – Page 3 |publisher=''South Florida Sun-Sentinel''|date= |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref>
⚫ Valencia played ] for four years for the ] Sharks. He earned '']'' All-County honors as a junior, and was named first team All-Palm Beach County three times and second team All-State twice.<ref name="scout1">{{cite web|url=http://miami.scout.com/2/465226.html|author=Alex Ordoqui|title=Valencia Makes Switch Back to 3B |publisher=''Canes Times'' |date=November 11, 2005 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="sun-sentinel1">{{cite news|last=Reports |first=Staff |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/keyword/danny-valencia/recent/4 |title=Articles about Danny Valencia by Date – Page 4 |publisher= ''South Florida Sun-Sentinel'' |date= |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref> As a junior in {{by|2002}} he was Offensive Player of the Year after hitting .430, and as a senior in {{by|2003}}, he hit .575.

His two key hitting coaches growing up were ], a family friend who is a former major leaguer and ] manager, and his mother Mindy.<ref name="courant1">{{cite news|url=http://articles.courant.com/2009-05-29/news/rockcats0529.art_1_rock-cats-joe-crede-twins |title=Valencia Maturing Quickly; Twins Have Big Expectations for Third Baseman of Rock Cats |author=Dom Amore|publisher=] |date=May 29, 2009 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref>

⚫ ===High school===
⚫ Valencia played shortstop for four years for the ] Sharks. He earned '']'' All-County honors as a junior, and was named first team All-Palm Beach County three times and second team All-State twice.<ref name="scout1">{{cite news|url=http://miami.scout.com/2/465226.html|author=Alex Ordoqui|title=Valencia Makes Switch Back to 3B |publisher=''Canes Times'' |date=November 11, 2005 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="sun-sentinel1">{{cite news|last=Reports |first=Staff |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/keyword/danny-valencia/recent/4 |title=Articles about Danny Valencia by Date – Page 4 |publisher= ''South Florida Sun-Sentinel'' |date= |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="autogenerated2"/> As a junior in 2002 he was Offensive Player of the Year after hitting .430, and as a senior in 2003 he hit .575.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>


==College== ==College==
===UNC-Greensboro=== ===UNC-Greensboro===
Though Valencia had dreamed of playing for the University of Miami, its baseball program did not recruit him, and instead he went to the ], one of two teams that had offered him a full baseball scholarship. In his freshman year, Valencia played third base and batted .338 with a .527 slugging percentage and a team-leading 8 home runs.<ref name="sun-sentinel1"/><ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="sun-sentinel2005"/> He was the 2004 ] Freshman of the Year, and was voted second-team All-Conference.<ref name="sun-sentinel2005"/> In his freshman year at ]– one of two teams that had offered him a full baseball scholarship– he played third base and batted .338 with a .527 slugging percentage, and a team-leading eight home runs.<ref name="sun-sentinel1"/> He was the {{by|2004}} ] Freshman of the Year, and was voted second-team All-Conference.

After initially agreeing to release Valencia upon his request to transfer from UNC-Greensboro after his freshman year, the school refused his request. He appealed the decision to a university committee who ruled in his favor, allowing him to leave. In ] baseball, players can change schools without losing a year of eligibility as long as they are granted a release.


===University of Miami=== ===University of Miami===
⚫ He transferred to the University of Miami to play for the ], where his sophomore year he played first base alongside then-third-baseman ]. He batted .300 and knocked in 63 runs while batting fifth in the lineup, and was named to the All-Regional Team.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stories/022705ach.html |title=Hurricanes Rebound With 16-3 Win Against George Washington; 4-For-4: Jon Jay, Ryan Braun, Danny Valencia and Walter Diaz each have four hits against the Colonials|publisher=CSTV|date=February 27, 2005 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/012706aaa.html |title=Play Ball! – Miami Official Athletic Site |publisher=Hurricanesports.cstv.com |date=January 27, 2006 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref> During the summer of 2005, he played third base for the ] in the ].<ref name="scout1"/>
Homesick for Florida, Valencia sought to transfer to the University of Miami after his freshman year, even though it only offered him a modest scholarship. UNC-Greensboro initially agreed to release Valencia from his scholarship, but later refused, placing him in jeopardy of losing a year of college eligibility under NCAA Division I rules. He appealed to a university committee which ruled in his favor, allowing him to leave while preserving his eligibility.<ref name="sun-sentinel2005"/><ref name="findarticles1"/>

⚫ During his sophomore year, Valencia played first base for the ] alongside then-third-baseman ], hitting .300 and driving in 63 runs while batting fifth in the lineup, and was named to the All-Regional Team.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stories/022705ach.html |title=Hurricanes Rebound With 16-3 Win Against George Washington; 4-For-4: Jon Jay, Ryan Braun, Danny Valencia and Walter Diaz each have four hits against the Colonials|publisher=CSTV|date=February 27, 2005 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="roanoke1">{{cite news|url=http://www.roanoke.com/sports/college%5C21605.html |title=Transfers bask in Salem sunshine; Transfers Danny Valencia and Brendan Katin combine for 14 RBI in the Miami rout|author=Mark Berman|publisher=] |date=April 10, 2005 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref> By his sophomore year of college, he had added 40 pounds.<ref name="roanoke1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/012706aaa.html |title=Play Ball! – Miami Official Athletic Site |publisher=Hurricanesports.cstv.com |date=January 27, 2006 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1" /><ref name="autogenerated2"/> "It's night and day" from UNC-Greensboro, said Valencia. "It's awesome. It's what every Florida kid dreams of. It's the program–the winning, the uniforms. Everything from the strength coach to the facilities is completely different."<ref name="roanoke1"/> During the summer of 2005, he played third base for the ] in the ].<ref name="scout1"/>

⚫ When Braun left to join the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system in 2005, Valencia replaced him at third base for his junior year, batting .324 with a .475 slugging percentage.<ref name="scout1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/V/danny-valencia.shtml |title=Danny Valencia Batting Statistics |publisher=The Baseball Cube |date= |accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref> In two years (and 122 games) with the Hurricanes, Valencia hit .312 with 124 RBIs, and played in the ].<ref name="courant1"/> Valencia then played seven games for the ] in the ] in the summer of 2006.<ref>]'', July 1, 2006, July 5, 2010<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Drafted in the 19th round of the 2006 draft by the Minnesota Twins, the 576th player chosen, he skipped his senior year of college to begin his pro career.<ref name="BR-draft">{{cite web
|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.cgi?overall_pick=576&draft_type=junreg&query_type=overall_pick
|title=576th Picks Overall in the MLB June Amateur Draft
|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com
|date=
|accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref><ref name="aarongleeman1">{{cite news
|url=http://www.aarongleeman.com/2008_02_17_baseballblog_archive.html#4783383812979358437
|title=Top 40 Twins Prospects of 2008
|publisher=AaronGleeman.com
|date=February 19, 2008
|accessdate=July 3, 2010
}}</ref> Valencia was disappointed in his draft position, but said "... realistically it does not change things for me. My goal has always been to get to the big leagues... It does not matter where you start, but where you finish."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cubs.scout.com/a.z?s=260&p=2&c=795742 |title=TCD Q&A: Top Prospect Danny Valencia |author=Brad Weiss| publisher=TwinCitiesDugout |date=September 29, 2008 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref></blockquote>

⚫ ==Minor league career (2006–10)==

In his first professional season, Valencia played first and third base with the ]. He compiled a .311 ] (9th in the league, and 5th in the Twins' organization) and a .505 slugging percentage (6th in the league), with eight ] (4th in the league) and 29 ] in 48 games. He was also 5th in the league in at-bats-per-home-run.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crmgybk.com/about.html |title=dannyvalencia.com |publisher=Crmgybk.com |date= |accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref> Valencia was named a {{by|2006}} ] Post-Season All-Star, and then batted .364 in the playoffs.<ref>{{cite news|author=Lisa Winston |url=http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060829&content_id=125720&vkey=news_l120&fext=.jsp&sid=l120 |title= Appalachian League News |publisher=minorleaguebaseball.com |date=August 30, 2006 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Daniel%2520Valencia&pos=&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=502143 |title=Danny Valencia Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights |publisher=Minorleaguebaseball.com |date= |accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref><ref name="crmgybk1">, June 9, 2003, accessed July 5, 2010</ref><ref name="crmgybk1"/>

Valencia was selected as a ] All Star in {{by|2007}}, while playing with the ], for whom he batted .302/.374/.500.<ref> BDN Staff, ''The ]'', June 6, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2010.</ref><ref name="aarongleeman1"/> His Beloit teammates nicknamed him "The Franchise".<ref name="beloitdailynews2007">, Rob Lucas, ''The Beloit Daily News'', April 27, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2010.</ref> Manager ] lauded him for using the whole field when he batted, and for patience at the plate.<ref name="beloitdailynews2007"/>

Immediately following the All Star game, he was promoted to the high A ]. He earned ] (FSL) "Player of the Week" honors, batting .379 (11–29) with two home runs, three ], and 10 RBIs for the week of July 16. He hit a combined .297/.354/.462 with 17 homers and 66 RBIs at Beloit and Fort Myers.<ref>{{cite news|author=La Velle E. Neal III|url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/11692471.html |title=Minors offer little hope for help with position players |publisher=The '']''|date=September 29, 2007 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref>

Again assigned to the Miracle for the first half of {{by|2008}}, he batted a league-leading .336 with a league-leading 74 hits, and five home runs and 44 RBIs (2nd in the league), a .402 on base percentage, and a .518 slugging percentage. He was named a Florida State League All Star, and helped the Miracle capture the FSL 2008 Western Division first half crown.<ref name="startribune1">{{cite news|author=La Velle E. Neal III|url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/19414999.html?location_refer=Sports |title=Twins minor league report: Valencia looking good in Class A |publisher=The ''Star Tribune'' |date=June 1, 2008 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=King |first=Chuck |url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2008/06/19/a6c_fslnotes_0620.html |title=FSL Notebook: St. Lucie Mets look forward to 'starting fresh'|publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=June 19, 2008 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3660583 |title=Rock Cats Have Several Roster Transactions |publisher=OurSports Central |date=June 16, 2008 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref> ], Twins director of minor leagues, said that he expected Valencia would hit for both power and average.<ref name="startribune1"/>


⚫ When Braun left to join the ]' farm system in {{by|2005}}, Valencia moved to third base for his junior year.<ref name="scout1"/> He batted .324 with a .475 slugging percentage at his new position. In two years (and 122 games) with the Hurricanes, Valencia hit .312 with 124 RBIs, and played in the ]. Valencia then played seven games for the ] in the ] in the summer of {{by|2006}}.<ref>]'', July 1, 2006, July 5, 2010<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Upon being drafted by the Twins in the {{by|2006}} draft, he skipped his senior year to begin his pro career.
Valencia was promoted to the Twins' Double-A affiliate, the ], for the second half of the season. With the Rock Cats, Valencia batted .289 with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs. Between the two teams, he batted .311 (6th in the Twins' system), with 15 home runs and 76 RBIs (4th in the Twins' system).<ref>{{cite news|author=Kevin T. Czerwinski |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081106&content_id=3667196&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |title=Martin shortens swing, sees results |publisher=Minnesota.twins.mlb.com |date=December 18, 2009 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Lisa Winston|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090323&content_id=4054226&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |title=10 Twins prospects to watch |publisher=Minnesota.twins.mlb.com |date=March 24, 2009 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref>


⚫ ==Minor league career==
With the Rock Cats to start 2009, he was voted the Eastern League Player of the Week Award for the week ending May 24, after batting .444 with a .778 slugging percentage.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stamfordplus.com/stm/information/nws1/publish/baseball/Eastern-League-Player-of-the-Week-Award-winners-announced5060.shtml |title= Eastern League Player of the Week Award winners announced |publisher=Stamfordplus.com |date= |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref> Rock Cats manager ] said: "Danny's going to be a special player. He's got an electric bat."<ref name="courant1"/> He hit 38 doubles during the season, tied for the most in the Twins' organization.<ref name="foxsportsnorth1">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/06/14/10/Valencia-quietly-impresses-Twins/landing.html?blockID=253515&feedID=3697 |title=Valencia quietly impresses Twins |author=Anthony Maggio|publisher=Foxsportsnorth.com |date=June 14, 2010 |accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref>
In his first professional season, Valencia batted .311 with eight ] and 29 ] in 48 games with the ] to be named a {{by|2006}} ] Post-Season All-Star.


Valencia was again selected to the All-Star team in {{by|2007}} while playing with the ] ]. Immediately following the game, he was promoted to the high A ], and eared ] "Player of the Week" honors, batting .379 (11-29) with two home runs, three ] and ten RBIs for the week of July 16 to 22.
Following the season, he played 31 games of winter ball with the ]'s ]. He spent ] with the Twins in {{by|2009}} as a non-roster invitee, batting .429, and was assigned to New Britain following spring training.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090114&content_id=3743864&vkey=pr_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min|title=Minnesota Twins Announce Spring Training Invites|accessdate=January 21, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=La Velle E. Neal III |url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/45880597.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUdcOy_nc:DKUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU |title=Valencia finds focus in Class AA |publisher=The ''Star Tribune''|date=May 23, 2009 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref> '']'' ranked him as the 5th-best prospect in the Twins' organization.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stamfordplus.com/stm/information/nws1/publish/baseball/Rock-Cats-to-kick-off-2009-season-at-New-Britain-Stadium4708.shtml |title=Rock Cats to kick off 2009 season at New Britain Stadium |publisher=Stamfordplus.com |date= |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref>


Still assigned to the Miracle for the first half of {{by|2008}}, he batted .336 with five home runs and 44 RBIs to again be named an All-Star, and help the Miracle capture the FSL 2008 Western Division first half crown. Valencia was promoted to the Twins' Double-A affiliate, the ] for the second half of the season. With the Rock Cats, he batted .289 with ten home runs and 32 RBIs.
During the 2009 season, Valencia first played for New Britain and was then promoted to the Triple-A ]. He batted a combined .285 with 14 home runs and 70 RBIs for the two teams. The Twins management indicated that it felt that Valencia would be one of the top position players of the future.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.sfgate.com/2009-08-01/bay-area/17175772_1_orlando-cabrera-waiver-deal-twins |title=A's trade Cabrera to Twins |publisher=''The San Francisco Chronicle'' |date= |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author= |url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/52030632.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUqCP:iUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr |title=For starters, Twins need a starter |publisher=The ''Star Tribune''|date=July 30, 2009 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author= |url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/52559617.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUqyE5D7UiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU |title=Gomez finds mentor in Cabrera |publisher=The ''Star Tribune'' |date=August 6, 2009 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref> On November 20, 2009, he was added to the Twins' ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091120&content_id=7695212&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min|title=Twins add six to fill out 40-man roster; Valencia, Guerra protected from Rule 5 Draft|date=November 20, 2009|accessdate=January 4, 2010}}</ref> Rantz said: "We're still trying to fill the third-base hole. Eventually ... we're all hoping that be that guy."<ref>{{cite news|author=Lisa Winston|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091124&content_id=7712714&vkey=affililiate&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |title=Lots of stars waiting in the Twins' wings; There's serious talent growing in Minnesota's farm system|publisher=MLB.com |date=November 26, 2009 |accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref>


Following the season, Valencia played Winter ball with the ]'s ]. With the Desert Dogs, his ] fell to .209 with no home runs and five RBIs. He spent ] with the Twins in {{by|2009}} as a non-roster invitee, and was reassigned to New Britain following Spring training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090114&content_id=3743864&vkey=pr_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min|title=Minnesota Twins Announce Spring Training Invites|accessdate=2009-01-21}}</ref>
He then played for the ] in the ], and as a foreign-born player (of Cuban heritage) for Team Puerto Rico in the ].<ref>{{cite news|author=Jesse Sanchez |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100205&content_id=8031470&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Valencia leads Puerto Rico past DR; Twins infield prospect goes 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs in victory|publisher=MLB.com |date= February 5, 2010|accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/2010-02-28-3927487147_x.htm |title=Harris, Punto each vying for Twins' 3rd base job |publisher= ''USA Today'' |date=February 28, 2010 |accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref> Twins general manager ] said in December: "I give Danny Valencia credit. He's down in Puerto Rico right now playing winter ball, and trying to get better.... You always want an underdog guy, somebody to step up when presented with an opportunity."<ref>{{cite news|author=Kelly Thesier|url=http://mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091208&content_id=7775824&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb |title=Twins' Hot Stove action shifts to hot corner; Club explores third-base options; Valencia in winter ball|publisher=Mlb.com |date=December 8, 2009 |accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref> Hector Otero, the Twins scout who signed Valencia and who was the general manager of the Mayagüez club, said: "I think he is a talented player. He definitely can throw. He worked on his defense–worked extra before games–and everyone knows he can swing the bat."<ref>{{cite news|author=La Velle E. Neal III|url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/85589907.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUqCP:iUiacyKUnciaec8O7EyUr |title=One step deserves another; Danny Valencia, one of the Twins' best prospects, is making steady progress toward a shot at a major league job.|publisher= The ''Star Tribune''|date=February 28, 2010 |accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref>


He ended up splitting the 2009 season between New Britain and the Triple-A ], batting a combined .285 with fourteen home runs and 70 RBIs for his two teams. He was brought up in trade rumors for ], ] and ] (whom the Twins eventually acquired for ] ]) at the 2009 trading deadline, but the Twins were unwilling to part ways with the third baseman saying that he was one of the top position players of the future. On November 20, 2009, he was added to the Twins' 40 man roster.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091120&content_id=7695212&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min|title=Twins add six to fill out 40-man roster|accessdate=2009-11-20}}</ref>
Valencia began 2010 playing third base for Rochester, and was batting .292 in 48 games when he was called up by the parent club.<ref>{{cite news|author=Joe Christensen |url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/95475529.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUqCP:i_2Eyk_oKiaDkUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUs |title=Michael Cuddyer out 4 games; Danny Valencia up|author=Joe Christensen |publisher= The ''Star Tribune''|date=June 3, 2010 |accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref>


==Major league career (2010–present)== ==Major league career==
Assessing Valencia's hitting during spring training, Twins manager ] said: “I guarantee you one thing, he can hit a ]; and if he sits on a ], he can hit that, too.”<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100322/SPORTS0101/3220330/1007/RSS02 |title=Valencia can become Twins third baseman|publisher=The '']'' |date=March 22, 2010 |accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref> On June 3, Valencia was called up to replace ], who had been placed on the ] following the death of his father-in-law.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/2010-06-02-2636229766_x.htm|title=Cuddyer to leave Twins after family death|publisher=] |date=June 3, 2010 |accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref> In his debut, he went 1 for 3.<ref>, ], June 3, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2010.</ref> On July 26, 2010, Valencia hit a grand slam off reigning AL ] winner ] to record his first big league homer; the feat marked the first time in the 49 years of Twins franchise history that a player's first Major League home run was a grand slam. The game was also his first 4-hit performance. The next day, Valencia became the first Twins rookie to have a back-to-back games with 4 hits apiece. Valencia entered the {{by|2010}} season ranked as the Twins sixth best prospect by '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2010/269381.html|title=Top 10 Prospects: Minnesota Twins|author=John Manuel|date=2010-01-12|work=]}}</ref> On June 3, 2010, he was called up to replace ], who had been placed on the ] following the death of his father-in-law.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/2010-06-02-2636229766_x.htm|title=Cuddyer to leave Twins after family death|publisher=] |date=June 3, 2010 |accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref> In his debut, he went 1 for 3.<ref>, ], June 3, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2010.</ref>


==Awards== ==Awards==

Revision as of 13:42, 16 August 2010

Baseball player
Danny Valencia
Minnesota Twins – No. 19
Third Baseman
Bats: RightThrows: Right
debut
June 3, 2010, for the Minnesota Twins
Career statistics
(through July 10, 2010)
Batting average.315
Home runs0
Runs batted in2
On-base percentage.383
Slugging percentage.333
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Daniel Paul Valencia (born September 19, 1984 in Template:City-state) is a third baseman in the Minnesota Twins' organization. He was drafted by the Twins in the 19th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft out of the University of Miami.

Early life

In 1996, Valencia pitched for the Boca Raton Babe Ruth League 12-and-under all-star baseball team that won the state championship, and in 1997 he pitched and hit for the Boca Lightning 12-and-under travel baseball team that went 27–2 and won the South Florida All-Star Travel League championship.

High school

Valencia played shortstop for four years for the Spanish River High School Sharks. He earned South Florida Sun-Sentinel All-County honors as a junior, and was named first team All-Palm Beach County three times and second team All-State twice. As a junior in 2002 he was Offensive Player of the Year after hitting .430, and as a senior in 2003, he hit .575.

College

UNC-Greensboro

In his freshman year at University of North Carolina at Greensboro– one of two teams that had offered him a full baseball scholarship– he played third base and batted .338 with a .527 slugging percentage, and a team-leading eight home runs. He was the 2004 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, and was voted second-team All-Conference.

After initially agreeing to release Valencia upon his request to transfer from UNC-Greensboro after his freshman year, the school refused his request. He appealed the decision to a university committee who ruled in his favor, allowing him to leave. In NCAA Division I baseball, players can change schools without losing a year of eligibility as long as they are granted a release.

University of Miami

He transferred to the University of Miami to play for the Miami Hurricanes, where his sophomore year he played first base alongside then-third-baseman Ryan Braun. He batted .300 and knocked in 63 runs while batting fifth in the lineup, and was named to the All-Regional Team. During the summer of 2005, he played third base for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots in the Alaska Baseball League.

When Braun left to join the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system in 2005, Valencia moved to third base for his junior year. He batted .324 with a .475 slugging percentage at his new position. In two years (and 122 games) with the Hurricanes, Valencia hit .312 with 124 RBIs, and played in the College World Series. Valencia then played seven games for the Orleans Cardinals in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2006. Upon being drafted by the Twins in the 2006 draft, he skipped his senior year to begin his pro career.

Minor league career

In his first professional season, Valencia batted .311 with eight home runs and 29 runs batted in in 48 games with the Elizabethton Twins to be named a 2006 Appalachian League Post-Season All-Star.

Valencia was again selected to the All-Star team in 2007 while playing with the Midwest League Beloit Snappers. Immediately following the game, he was promoted to the high A Fort Myers Miracle, and eared Florida State League "Player of the Week" honors, batting .379 (11-29) with two home runs, three runs scored and ten RBIs for the week of July 16 to 22.

Still assigned to the Miracle for the first half of 2008, he batted .336 with five home runs and 44 RBIs to again be named an All-Star, and help the Miracle capture the FSL 2008 Western Division first half crown. Valencia was promoted to the Twins' Double-A affiliate, the New Britain Rock Cats for the second half of the season. With the Rock Cats, he batted .289 with ten home runs and 32 RBIs.

Following the season, Valencia played Winter ball with the Arizona Fall League's Phoenix Desert Dogs. With the Desert Dogs, his batting average fell to .209 with no home runs and five RBIs. He spent Spring training with the Twins in 2009 as a non-roster invitee, and was reassigned to New Britain following Spring training.

He ended up splitting the 2009 season between New Britain and the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, batting a combined .285 with fourteen home runs and 70 RBIs for his two teams. He was brought up in trade rumors for Freddy Sanchez, Marco Scutaro and Orlando Cabrera (whom the Twins eventually acquired for shortstop Tyler Ladendorf) at the 2009 trading deadline, but the Twins were unwilling to part ways with the third baseman saying that he was one of the top position players of the future. On November 20, 2009, he was added to the Twins' 40 man roster.

Major league career

Valencia entered the 2010 season ranked as the Twins sixth best prospect by Baseball America. On June 3, 2010, he was called up to replace Michael Cuddyer, who had been placed on the bereavement list following the death of his father-in-law. In his debut, he went 1 for 3.

Awards

High School
College
  • 2004 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year
  • 2004 Second team All-Conference
  • 2005 All-Regional Team


Minors

See also

References

  1. Heeren, Dave. "Articles about Danny Valencia by Date – Page 3". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved July 3, 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ Alex Ordoqui (November 11, 2005). "Valencia Makes Switch Back to 3B". Canes Times. Retrieved July 3, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ Reports, Staff. "Articles about Danny Valencia by Date – Page 4". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved July 3, 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. "Hurricanes Rebound With 16-3 Win Against George Washington; 4-For-4: Jon Jay, Ryan Braun, Danny Valencia and Walter Diaz each have four hits against the Colonials". CSTV. February 27, 2005. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  5. "Play Ball! – Miami Official Athletic Site". Hurricanesports.cstv.com. January 27, 2006. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  6. "Cardinals get help from a Hurricane", Cape Cod Times, July 1, 2006, July 5, 2010
  7. "Minnesota Twins Announce Spring Training Invites". Retrieved 2009-01-21.
  8. "Twins add six to fill out 40-man roster". Retrieved 2009-11-20.
  9. John Manuel (2010-01-12). "Top 10 Prospects: Minnesota Twins". Baseball America.
  10. "Cuddyer to leave Twins after family death". USA Today. June 3, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  11. "Hernandez confounds Twins to halt personal four-game slide", Associated Press, June 3, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2010.

External links

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