Int'l prospect to All-Star: Valdez earns well-deserved nod

HOUSTON -- In less than a year, Astros left-hander Framber Valdez will have started Game 1 of the World Series and participated in the All-Star Game. Those are remarkable achievements for anyone, but for a pitcher who was barely good enough to stick on the Astros’ roster in 2018 and ’19, it’s especially hard to fathom the strides he’s made.

• MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard: Tuesday on FOX

While the Astros have had big-name starting pitchers such as Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Lance McCullers Jr. and Dallas Keuchel represent them in the All-Star Game in recent years, Valdez remains relatively unknown despite back-to-back seasons of solid work. The workhorse lefty, who possesses one of the game’s best curveballs, went 8-4 with a 2.66 ERA in 18 starts in the first half of the season.

“I never imagined being an All-Star, but I also didn’t think about that too much,” Valdez said. “I tried to just focus on my game when I was going up [to the Majors] and down to Triple-A when I was struggling. ... I wanted to get back and stick in the Major Leagues and not go back down. That’s one of my main focuses ... focus on my game and on my skills and sticking with it.”

Valdez joined four teammates in being named to play in Tuesday’s All-Star Game: designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, outfielder Kyle Tucker and Verlander were selected via the player vote, and second baseman Jose Altuve was elected as a starter at second base, though he announced on Saturday he’s decided not to play after being struck on the left knee by a pitch Thursday. Alvarez, who has right hand inflammation, is on the injured list and also won’t play.

• Valdez strikes out career-high 13

Valdez, though, can’t wait for the All-Star Game and hopes to be able to give manager Dusty Baker an inning of work on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. The 28-year-old Dominican is looking forward to hanging out with fellow countrymen Sandy Alcantara of the Marlins and Albert Pujols of the Cardinals, both of whom will represent the National League.

Back home in Valdez’s hometown of Palenque, Dominican Republic, there’s pride in what Valdez has accomplished, as well.

“Everybody’s really happy,” he said. “Everybody called me and messaged me and even until right now, they’re still very happy with what I've achieved.”

Valdez was signed by the Astros for $10,000 in 2015 at the age of 21 -- which is considered ancient in the realm of international prospects. He didn’t start pitching until he was 16, but those who scouted him in the Dominican Republic saw a Major League curveball. Finding a way to control his other pitches became the real challenge.

Valdez’s curve carried him through the Minor Leagues, and he made his debut in 2018, bouncing between the rotation and bullpen -- as well as Triple-A and the Majors -- over the next two seasons. His lack of consistency was frustrating for him and the Astros. Valdez walked 68 batters in 107 2/3 innings in those two seasons but showed glimpses of being an effective big league pitcher when he was in the strike zone. His curveball-sinker combination has produced the best groundball rate in the Majors over the past two years.

For Valdez, getting over his erratic control was simply mental, which is why he sought the help of a sports psychologist in the Dominican Republic following the 2019 season to help him focus. He posted a 3.57 ERA in 70 2/3 innings in the pandemic-shortened ’20 season before going 11-6 with a 3.14 ERA in 22 starts last year after missing the first two months of the season with a broken finger.

“It’s incredible,” said Astros international crosschecker Oz Ocampo. “Framber continues to raise the bar for himself. Obviously, we loved the curveball and the delivery and athleticism from the start, but knowing where Framber came from and how he’s developed through the Minors and into the Major Leagues, winning in the postseason, and now as an All-Star, we’re all very excited and proud and happy for Framber and his family.”

In the last two seasons, Valdez is 19-10 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 40 starts in the regular season, including three complete games. He won’t garner as much name recognition on the red carpet in Los Angeles, but his place among the game’s best is well-deserved.

• 'Bulldog' Valdez twirls 2-hit complete game

“As a kid, I didn’t really watch too many All-Star Games, but once I got into pro ball, especially here in the big leagues, I saw how excited players were to make it to the All-Star Game and how much of a big deal it was,” Valdez said. “I really focused on my part to really get to one one day.”