Enmanuel Valdez hitting .400 since joining the WooSox; he can 'carry an offense for a period of time'
WooSox skipper Chad Tracy understands the grind of being in the minor leagues, both as a player and now as a manager. He played eight seasons in the minors before getting into coaching, which has made him adept at handling players who have had a taste of the big leagues and are now fighting for a chance to get back there.
Enmanuel Valdez and Bobby Dalbec are back with the WooSox as a result of being optioned following a series of roster moves in Boston. In Valdez's case, he's begun to play other positions other than second base in order to clear a path back to the big leagues.
Since being demoted back to Worcester, all Valdez has done is rake at the plate. In four games, he's 8-for-20 (.400) with two homers, four RBI, two stolen bases, and a 1.305 OPS. If the 25-year-old is unhappy or frustrated where he is, he's at least letting his play on the field do the talking.
Tracy doesn't believe players are always miserable following a demotion to the minor leagues. A big part of that is the environment he creates within the clubhouse to make players feel welcomed and able to be themselves.
“The urban legend myth of guys are always so miserable in Triple-A. I am in my third year here, and I just don’t agree with it," said Tracy.
“(Valdez) He’s good. None of them are happy to not be in the big leagues anymore,” said Tracy. “It’s a little easier with guys that have been with us before because I do believe in my heart we have a good vibe around this place, like we’re going to take care of them. It’s not like I have to go down there. Yes, it’s disappointing. They don’t want to be here; they want to be in the big leagues. They also know that whatever they need here, we are going to get it for them."
Valdez has a four game hitting streak since he went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts in his 2024 WooSox debut. He’s hit two homers, including one on Tuesday night, and he finished the game 2-for-5.
“When he’s going right, he makes really quality decisions in the batter's box," said Tracy. "Valdy, when he’s typically going good, he doesn’t expand often. He makes you throw it over (the plate), and if you don't, he takes his walks and gets on base. We’ve seen him in spurts here, where he can be really hot, and when he’s getting pitches to hit and not missing them, he can also carry an offense for a period of time.
“He didn’t get off to the offensive start he wanted to in the big leagues. Probably it’s part of the reason why he’s here. The reviews we got on him were that he was playing defense at a level we hadn’t seen before. They were very pleased with what he had done defensively. We know there’s a bat in there, which is why we’ll explore moving him around (the field) because they really do like the bat.”
Valdez has played three games at second base, one at third base, and has been the designated hitter twice. He's been working with the coaching staff at first game pre-game, but there's no timetable as to when Valdez will get in-game reps at first base.
“It’s not going to be easy. I used to play first back in the day, but it’s not going to be easy to adapt,” Valdez said. “But I’m willing to put in the work. I’m going to get here earlier than anyone else. I’m going to be the first one in the room to be prepared for whatever they need from me.”
