Merkin Valdez #47

Merkin R. (Malo) Valdez was originally signed by Atlanta Braves scout Mike Brito under the name Manauel Mateo...graduated from Escuela Rural Palenque High School in the Dominican Republic.

2011

Began the season at Triple-A Albuquerque in the Dodgers organization but finished it in the majors with Texas...was selected from Triple-A Round Rock Sept. 1 and made five appearances in relief over the final month of the season...allowed a run in three of his five games, retiring 4 of 5 first batters faced... opponents batted .350, including .462 (6-for-13) by left-handed hitters and .143 (1-for-7) by right-handers... permitted seven hits and three runs in 3.1 innings over his last four games...fanned five in 3.0 innings in his final three outings...finished the game Sept. 25 vs. Seattle...pitched a scoreless inning in his Rangers debut Sept. 2 at Boston, his first major league appearance since April 25, 2010 for Toronto vs. Tampa Bay...made three appearances in four days, Sept. 2-5 but pitched just twice in Rangers' last 20 contests...pitched for Escogido in the Dominican Winter League following the season and was 2-1 with a 1.86 ERA in 18 relief appearances...held the opposition to a .188 batting average.

MINORS: Combined to go 5-2 with eight saves and a 3.29 ERA in 50 relief appearances for Albuquerque and Round Rock in the Pacific Coast League...had 24 walks against 41 strikeouts, allowing just two home runs...began the year with Albuquerque after signing a minor league contract with Dodgers Jan. 27...went 4-2 with a 3.58 ERA and four saves in 38 relief appearances before he was released July 18...signed a minor league deal with Texas July 24 and went 1-0 with a 2.35 ERA and four saves in 12 relief outings with Round Rock...held opponents to a .230 average with five walks and 14 strikeouts... allowed runs in just three of his 12 outings with the Express, converting all four save chances...just three of his 14 hits allowed went for extra bases.

2010

Was traded to Toronto January 20 and was on the Blue Jays Opening Day roster...appeared in two games, posting a 20.25 ERA and .333 opponents batting average...allowed three runs on two hits and two walks in 1.0 inning April 14 against Chicago (AL)...walked a batter in 0.1 innings April 25 at Tampa Bay...was designated for assignment April 27 and outrighted to Las Vegas April 29...spent the remainder of the season with the 51s and went 3-5 with a 7.91 ERA in 39 games, including one start... allowed a .358 opponents batting average, including .331 against right-handed hitters and .388 against left-handers...opponents hit .354 with runners in scoring position...his one start came July 25 against Portland and he allowed 12 runs on 12 hits and three walks in just 2.0 innings...posted a 6.27 ERA in his 38 relief appearances...allowed 6 of 15 (40.0%) inherited runners to score...compiled a 9.66 ERA in 22 outings at home compared to 4.98 on the road...tossed at least one inning in 37 of his 39 outings... allowed at least one run in 14 of his first 19 outings for a 9.35 ERA...then went seven consecutive games (12.2 ip) from June 28 to July 21 without allowing an earned run...including July 1 against Reno when he tossed 2.0 scoreless innings and struck out a season-high tying three...tossed a season-high 3.1 innings Aug. 27 against Reno...pitched for Escogido in the Dominican Winter League, compiling a 4.35 ERA in nine relief appearances.

2009

After injuries in his previous two seasons, bounced back in 2009 and was one of five members of Giants' bullpen to be a mainstay in 'pen for entire season... Went 2-1 with 5.66 ERA (31ER, 49.1IP) in 48 relief appearances in what was his 1st full season in the big leagues... Allowed an opponents avg. against of .292 (57-for-195) with left-handers at .250 (21-for-84) and righties at .324 (36-for-111)... That .292 avg. was 11th-highest among NL relievers... Allowed at least one hit or one walk in 34 of his 48 games, but had 32 scoreless outings... Inherited 22 runners and allowed 13 to score (40.9%)... Was 0-for-3 in save opportunities... Opened season with Giants for 2nd consecutive year... BIG START: Was highly effective in his 1st 15 outings, posting 2-0 mark with 2.76 ERA (5ER, 16.1IP)... Had 12 scoreless efforts in that span while allowing .220 avg. against (13-for-59)... That 2.76 mark was his lowest figure all season, as he logged 7.09 mark (26er, 33.0ip) over his final 33 games, allowing runs in 13 of those 33 contests... WIN #1: Earned 1st career victory April 27 vs. Los Angeles-NL despite allowing run in 1.2 innings... Entered game in top of 7th with 3-2 lead and runner on 1st base... Earned 2nd win after tossing 1.2 scoreless innings May 31 vs. St. Louis... Gave up three runs in back-to-back outings July 5-8 vs. Houston and Florida... Held opposition scoreless for 8-straight games July 26-Aug. 17 (8.2IP)... Was touched for season high four runs and three BB's Aug. 23 vs. Colorado... WALK-OFFS: Very next day he suffered his 3rd blown save of year in Denver, entering game in bottom of 14th inning with bases loaded and Giants holding 4-2 lead... Surrendered game-winning grand slam to Ryan Spilborghs, 1st walk-off grand slam in Rockies history... Allowed another walk-off home run to Milwaukee's Prince Fielder Sept. 6 at Miller Park... Game was tied at 1-1 through 11 ½ innings before Fielder hit 1-out homer to right field giving Brewers 2-1 victory... Was touched for 14 runs (12ER) over his final 7.2 innings with opponents batting .410 (16-for-39)... Did not appear in SF's final seven games

2008

Was limited to just 17 outings (1 start) for Giants after suffering from right elbow strain... In limited action, went 1-0 with 1.69 ERA (3ER, 16.0IP)... Made Giants Opening Day roster for 1st time in his career, returning to Majors for 1st time since 2004... Held opponents scoreless in 14 of his 17 contests, while holding batters to .237 avg. against (14-for-59)... Made season debut March 31, marking 1st time since Aug. 5, 2004 vs. Cincinnati that he had made ML appearance... Made 1st career ML start April 2 at Los Angeles-NL... Tossed 2.0-scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts... Recorded 1st career win April 30 vs. Colorado, tossing 1.2 innings and not allowing hit... Was placed on 15-day Disabled List with right elbow strain May 15 and was on DL for remainder of season... Pitched 1.0-scoreless inning with 3 strikeouts June 7 vs. Bakersfield for single-A San Jose as part of rehab assignment... Took part in Giants' instructional league at Arizona complex in Scottsdale, Arizona to rehab elbow

2007

Did not pitch during regular season, while rehabbing from right-elbow reconstructive surgery...pitched in Giants Instructional League following regular season...logged 3.68 ERA (3er, 7.1ip) in 8 relief appearances for Escogido in Dominican Winter League.

2006

Struggled in 1st full season at triple-A Fresno, while adjusting to conversion to full-time reliever...went 0-4 with 5 saves and 5.86 ERA in 47 games (3 starts)...continued impressive strikeout proficiency, fanning 50 batters in 50.2 innings.

2005

Garnered in-season Eastern League All-Star honors during 1st full year at double-A Norwich, going 5-6 with 3.53 ERA in 24 games (19 starts)...surrendered 3 earned runs or less in 15 of 19 opening assignments (78.9%)...excelled over 1st 14 starts, going 4-3 with 2.55 ERA (22er, 77.2ip) and .237 avg. against (66-for-279)...made last 5 appearances out of bullpen, logging 4-scoreless efforts with 1.42 ERA (1er, 6.1ip)...was placed on Disabled List Aug. 17 with right shoulder inflammation, and was shelved for remainder of campaign.

2004

Made stops at 4 levels of organization, including big league debut...was recalled to San Francisco from double-A Norwich July 31 following Felix Rodriguez' trade to Philadelphia...appeared in 2 games out of bullpen, yielding double to St. Louis' Albert Pujols, but then retiring Scott Rolen in ML debut Aug. 1...was touched for 4 earned runs in just 1.1 innings of Aug. 5 outing vs. Cincinnati, and was optioned back to Norwich following contest...went to big league camp during Spring Training, but spent 1st 3 months of season recovering from mild shoulder tendinitis before reporting to triple-A Fresno June 27...appeared in 1 game for Fresno before being sent to single-A San Jose...showed signs of impressive potential in San Jose by compiling 3-1 record and 2.52 ERA (10er, 35.2ip) over 7 starting nods...amassed 44 strikeouts while surrendering just 5 walks in 35.2 innings pitched...was promoted to double-A Norwich July 13, spending time as both starter and reliever while registering 4.32 ERA (20er, 41.2ip) ...earned first professional save July 29 vs. Trenton...played winter ball in Dominican Republic, making 6 relief appearances for Escogido.

2003

Made immediate impression on new organization, being tabbed Giants' Organizational Player of Year by USA Today following brilliant campaign with single-A Hagerstown...at 21 years of age, posted 9-5 mark for Suns while leading South Atlantic League in strikeouts (166) and ranking 2nd in ERA (2.25) and 4th in innings pitched (156.0)...ERA was lowest amongst Giants farmhands, while strikeout total was highest in SF system...campaign marked most extensive work in pro ball, as he established career highs in wins, games (26), starts (26), innings pitched and strikeouts...also set career standard with 2 complete games while tossing 2nd minor league shutout...was thrice named Hagerstown's Player of Month, earning accolades in April, June and August...garnered Howe SportsData SAL Pitcher of Week honors April 3-10 and August 15-21...made 4 relief appearances for Grand Canyon in Arizona Fall League, logging 3.38 ERA (2er, 5.1ip).

2002

Spent season with Atlanta's rookie-level affiliate in Gulf Coast League and was named circuit's 3rd-best prospect by Baseball America...was one of league's most dominating hurlers, allowing only 61 baserunners (41h, 2hbp, 12bb) in 68.1 innings...went 7-3 with 1.98 ERA (15er) in 12 games (8 starts)...struck out 76 and held opposition to .193 avg. against (47-for-243)...finished season strongly, winning last 3 starts with 1.50 ERA (3er, 18.0ip)...did not surrender HR in 380 batters faced.

2001

Logged 2nd campaign with Braves' club in Dominican Summer League...for 2nd in year in row, suffered losing record despite low ERA...finished 6-7 with 2.93 mark (30er, 92.0ip) in 15 games (14 starts)...surrendered career-worst .258 avg. against (93-for-360), but was not touched for single long ball.

2000

Made professional debut at age of 18, fashioning 1.57 ERA (10er, 57.1ip) in 14 games (7 starts) for Braves' Dominican affiliate...had just 1-5 record, but struck out 32 against 14 walks.