Cesar Valdez #51

César Miguel Valdez was originally signed by Diamondbacks scout Junior Noboa…attended San Jose de Mendoza High School in Santo Domingo.

2016

Signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros organization on Jan. 12 after spending three seasons in the Mexican League (2012-13, 15) and one year out of baseball (2014)…spent the entire campaign at Triple-A Fresno in his first season with a Major League organization since 2011…was 12-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 30 games (18 starts) with the Grizzlies…led the Pacific Coast League in winning percentage (.923), ranked third in ERA and tied for fourth in wins…walked just 13 batters in 138.1 innings, an average of 0.84 per nine innings…struck out 114 for a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 8.77…was 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA over his first 15 games (four starts) through June 5…then went 10-0 with a 2.20 ERA over his final 15 games (14 starts) beginning June 11…allowed a .267 opponents batting average, including .257 (81-for-315) against right-handed hitters compared to .282 (62-for-220) against left-handers…yielded a .235 batting average with runners in scoring position, including .182 with RISP and two outs…five of the eight home runs he allowed were solo shots…11 of his first 12 appearances came in relief…17 of his final 18 outings were starting assignments…was 11-1 with a 3.47 ERA and .276 opponents batting average in his 18 starts, 1-0 with a 1.25 ERA and .213 opponents average in 12 relief appearances… allowed 4-of-10 (40.0%) inherited runners to score…compiled a 7-1 record and a 2.65 ERA in 18 games at home and was 5-0 and a 3.88 ERA in 12 games on the road…the Grizzlies were 12-5 (.706) in his starting assignments (one tie)…walked two batters or fewer in each of his 18 starts and allowed one run or fewer 10 times…tossed more than one inning in eight of his 12 appearances.

2010

Spent majority of season with Reno (Diamondbacks' AAA) while also seeing first action in big leagues...Madeeach of his first 12 appearances from the starting rotation with the Aces...Tossed 4.2 scoreless innings in season debut, butreceived a no-decision on 4/9 vs. Fresno...Allowed a season-high tying 10 hits in next start while also suffering the loss on 4/14vs. Salt Lake City...Struck out eight batters in 6.0 innings of work while picking up first win on 4/19 at Sacramento...Was recalledby Arizona on 5/3...Started and won Major League debut that night at Houston; allowed one run in 5.0 innings while also strikingout two batters...Was roughed up for seven runs in 4.0 innings while making second and final start on 5/8 vs. Milwaukee; also whiffeda career-high seven batters in the loss...Allowed a pair of runs in 1.2 innings while making first big league relief appearance on5/16 at Atlanta...Allowed five runs in 0.2ip while making final appearance with Arizona on 6/10 vs. Atlanta...Was optioned back toReno for remainder of season on 6/16...Tossed 3.0 innings in first game back with Reno on 6/19 at Fresno...Went 0-3 over a fourstartstretch before tossing 7.0 scoreless innings in win vs. Fresno on 7/25...Made first of two relief appearances on 7/30...Whiffeda season-high nine batters in 6.0 scoreless innings while beating Nashville on 8/4...Was designated for assignment on 9/13 andoutrighted to the minor leagues on 9/16...Went 3-2 with a 4.17 ERA (41.0ip/19er) in 10 games (eight starts) for Tigres de Licey inthe Dominican Winter League.

2009

In his first season at Triple-A Reno, went 7-6 with a 4.78 ERA in 19 games (18 starts)...In 9 road games, went 4-3 with a 3.06 ERA (17 ER in 50.0 IP)...in 10 home games, went 3-3 with a 6.65 ERA (34 ER in 46.0 IP)...On May 29 @ Salt Lake, tossed 8.0 shutout frames, allowing 2 hits and 1 walk with 6 strikeouts in a 4-0 win...On June 8 @ Portland, worked 7.0 scoreless innings with 5 hits allowed and 3 strikeouts in a 3-0 victory...Over 11 games (10 starts) in May-June, went 5-3 with a 3.23 ERA (23 ER in 64.0 IP)...Following the season, made 9 relief appearances for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League.

2008

Named the D-backs' minor league Pitcher of the Year after tying for first among allD-backs minor leaguers in wins (13) and ranking second in ERA (3.14) and strikeouts(140)...Named to the California League regular season All-Star team....tied for sixth in theleague in wins (10)...Began season with Visalia (A) and won his first 3 starts of the season, including a seasonhigh10-strikeout performance on April 16 at Inland Empire...Tossed a complete-game shutout on June 4 vs. San Jose, allowing 5 hits and strikingout 4...Promoted to Mobile (AA) on June 25...made his debut for the BayBears on June 28 vs.Montgomery, allowing 1 unearned run and 3 hits with 4 strikeouts in 2.2 relief innings...Earned his first AA victory on July 25 at Jacksonville, tying his season-high with 10strikeouts in and allowing 4 hits and 3 walks in 7.0 scoreless innings.