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Justin Valdes
45 Justin Valdes
Hometown:
Tampa, FL
High School:
Dunedin HS
Height / Weight:
6-0 / 166
Position:
RHP
Birthdate:
08/16/1985
B/T:
R/R

2004: Immediately became part of the starting rotation, starting 13 games and posting a 4-7 record and one save, coming out of the pen just twice. Twirled seven strong innings in win over #12 Tulane, scattering 11 hits, allowing just two runs(4/9). Made his first career appearance out of the bullpen, earning a save with 1.1 perfect innings, striking out two Hilltoppers(4/6). Notched his third win of the season with a quality start against UC(3/26). Tied a career-high with eight strikeouts in win over Ball State(3/13). Allowed just a single run in seven innings. Struck out a career-high eight in hard-luck loss to Kent(3/7). Earned a win in his college debut, allowing two runs in four innings of work, striking out three Aztecs(2/21).

High School: Lettered all four seasons of high school baseball. The Falcons won the District Championship his sophomore season where he hit .393 as a third baseman. Named 2nd Team All-Western Conference, earned Coaches Award and Most Improved. His junior season he made the conference 2nd team as a pitcher while also hitting .333. His senior season he made honorable mention All-State. Was 9-5 with 116 strikeouts and a 3.30 ERA in 111.1 innings during his career, which was capped by his being selected in the 29th round by the Mets.

Personal: Born 8/16/85 in Tampa, Florida to Ruby and Hector Valdes. Is studying sports medicine at Louisville. Spends his spare time playing baseball and fishing. Dubbed "Juan" by his teammates his freshman season. His favorite movies are Bull Durham, Edward Scissorhands and Cruel Intentions. Watches Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and SportsCenter. His favorite athletes are Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, Lance Armstrong and Tino Martinez. Cuban steak, mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese are his favorite foods. His favorite teams are the Red Sox and Buccaneers. Says Cardinal teammate Chris Cates is the best athlete he has ever faced. His dream dinner guests would be Jim Carrey, Pedro Martinez and Shakira. Once chugged a bottle of hot sauce during summer ball for 60 dollars. 

Year       ERA   W-L   App  GS  CG SHO/CBO  SV    IP    H    R   ER   BB   SO
2004....  6.39   4-7    15  13   1   0/0     1  76.0  108   63   54   26   53
2005....  6.68   1-4     9   7   0   0/0     0  31.0   36   28   23   18   21
TOTAL...  6.48   5-11   24  20   1   0/0     1 107.0  144   91   77   44   74

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