Enmanuel Valdez says 'I'm going to be the first one in the room to be prepared' in order to get back to the Red Sox
Enmanuel Valdez is motivated to do whatever he can to get back to the major leagues. The infielder was optioned back to Triple-A Worcester on Friday in order to make room for Vaughn Grissom, who was returning to the team from the injured list.
His road back to the big league roster got a little tougher with the addition of Grissom. In order for Valdez to carve a clearer path back to the Red Sox, he will need to learn a few new positions.
The 25-year-old has played only second base for the Red Sox outside of one inning at shortstop back in 2023. While with the WooSox, he will get reps at first base, third base, and in the outfield.
Valdez has some experience off second base; he’s logged six games at first base, 135 games at third base, 18 games in left field, and 1 game in right field. The majority of his time playing away from second base came while he was in the Houston Astros organization.
WooSox skipper Chad Tracy is optimistic that Valdez will adapt quickly and credits the arm strength program he worked on during the offseason to help his transition to third base and in the outfield.
“I’m optimistic in the sense that one of the things that was a little bit of a knock on [Valdez] was the arm strength,” Tracy said. “He did a weighted ball program in the offseason that’s conducive for an infielder to try to gain arm strength, and it showed up. You could see a noticeable difference in spring training when he arrived with him turning a double play; the arm strength was improved.
“Mechanically, fielding the ball, he’s fine,” Tracy added. “But I think he’s probably more equipped to [play other positions] right now than he was a couple years ago.”
Valdez knew his arm strength was a flaw in his game and wanted to show his coaches and the Red Sox he was willing to work on strengthening it this offseason.
“It’s going to help me a lot,” Valdez said of the offseason throwing program through translator Michael Smithers, who is the Coordinator of Spanish Content and Spanish Broadcaster for the WooSox. “Last year, my arm was one of my weaknesses, one of the flaws of my game. But it’s going to help a lot because if you want to play third, you want to play shortstop, and the arm is really important to perform. So I’m really happy, and I’m excited about what I can show.”
There is no immediate timetable for Valdez to get action at the first base, third base, or in the outfield. He did take grounders at first base before the WooSox’s game on Friday night. Valdez knows it won’t be easy but has the confidence he’ll be able to offer positional versatility for the Red Sox in the future.
“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.”
Despite his demotion back to Worcester, Valdez is excited to get to work and start his journey back to Boston.
“I’m happy to get the call, and I am preparing to help the team in any way that I can. I am available to fill into any hole that they need, either first base, third base, or the outfield. I’m ready, and I’m just happy to contribute and do my job here.”
