GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- George Valera stood in the batter’s box at Field 3 of the Guardians’ player development complex on Saturday, facing Adam Tulloch in a live batting practice session. Cleveland’s first full-squad workout is on Tuesday, but Valera is among the crowd of players already in camp.
Valera would have it no other way. When he arrived at Spring Training last year, he had just begun walking without a limp, following surgery for a torn patellar tendon in his right knee the previous September. He was a non-roster invitee, but spent the entirety of camp rehabbing.
This year, Valera is unrestricted physically as Spring Training begins. And after the 25-year-old outfielder was able to enjoy a normal offseason, he finds himself well in the mix for a spot on the Guardians’ Opening Day roster.
“I'm pretty happy, man,” Valera said. “[It feels] pretty normal, honestly, just being a part of all the practice and the conversations with the guys and the team this year. I don't have to be in the training room so much. It’s a blessing.”
It’s also a major source of excitement for the Guardians as they fast approach their Cactus League opener next Saturday.
Valera made a good impression down the stretch last season, following his MLB debut on Sept. 1. He slashed .220/.333/.415 with two homers, five RBIs and seven walks with 13 strikeouts over 16 regular-season games. In Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Tigers, his solo homer opened the scoring in Cleveland’s 6-1 win.
That brief display of Valera’s potential is something fans and the Guardians have long waited to see in the Majors. Valera was Cleveland’s No. 1 prospect in 2022, per MLB Pipeline. Injuries, of course, impacted his timeline. Valera played 79 games in ‘23, when he suffered a right wrist injury during Spring Training. He played 90 in ‘24, when he strained his left hamstring during camp.
“I'm excited. I have not seen George Valera play a Spring Training game yet,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “Going into Year 3, seeing him healthy, hearing his confidence level, and just having a full offseason to be able to be an active player rather than rehabbing, I think we're all excited to watch what George can do.”
Certainly if we get the chance to see it over a full season. Valera is among a slew of outfielders in the mix for the Guardians’ Opening Day roster this spring, and Cleveland gained a fourth (and extra) Minor League option on him this winter, due to his injury history.
But Valera has upside as a onetime top prospect, and last year was just an initial taste of what he can do. The Guardians’ belief in him was evident; Valera was Cleveland’s No. 2 hitter down the stretch and in the postseason.
“He can manage an at-bat,” Vogt said. “He makes great swing decisions. He's got power. He's just a good, good hitter. Watching him play the outfield in a limited capacity and how well he played the outfield in a limited capacity, I think we're all really, really pumped to see him playing outfield healthy.”
Valera’s offseason was valuable both on and off the field. He spent a few weeks in the Dominican Republic, in his first visit home since before his knee surgery. After that procedure, it was hard for him to take a long flight where his knee would remain bent for an extended time.
“It was fire. I loved it. Home is the best, bro,” Valera said. “Being able to work out every day, good weather every day. Just going to the beach, hanging out with my mom [Nina] and my dad [Danilo] all the time, seeing all my cousins every time, my uncles and aunts every time.
“It’s a blessing because I have a lot of family that just can't come over here, so I hadn’t seen them for a long time. Just going back home and seeing my friends too was special.”
This could be a special season for Valera. He obviously must stay healthy, and he even noted how that would help constitute a successful season on an individual level. If he can stay on the field, we know the rest may come, given his talent.
Last season gave Valera an idea of what to expect in the Majors. But there is still work for him and the Guardians to do.
“It was a dream,” Valera said. “It was sweet. We didn't finish it, though. So we’ve gotta finish the job this time around.”