2023 Chicago Cubs Top 30 Prospect Wraps: Derniche Valdez
InsidetheCubs.com will review each of the Chicago Cubs’ Top 30 prospects, as ranked by MLB.com at the end of the 2023 season.
No. 16: SS Derniche Valdez, Dominican Summer League Cubs Blue (Rookie)
Statistics for 2023: (35 games) .234/.328/.477/.805 with 17 runs, four doubles, two triples, six home runs, 20 RBI, 15 walks, 51 strikeouts, four stolen bases.
Season Transactions: Assigned to the DSL Cubs Blue on June 4.
Season Summary: Valdez joined the Cubs in January as an international free agent and he was playing in the Dominican Summer League by June. A lot is expected of the 17-year-old, given what the Cubs paid him in bonus money. All things considered, he got off to a solid start. He showed some power, some speed on the basepaths and the high strikeout rate was to be expected from a young player.
Road Through the Organization: The Cubs paid Valdez $2.8 million in bonus money as part of their 2023 international class. Per MLB.com, Cubs vice president of international scouting Louie Eljaua said Valdez could grow into a Starlin Castro build and provide Hanley Ramirez production. So … there are expectations, to be sure. And, frankly, those are high expectations.
What’s next: The Cubs have a glut of shortstops in their system, along with the well-heeled veteran Dansby Swanson in Chicago. However, it will take a while for Valdez to get Major League ready. Also in his path is his fellow Dominican shortstop Cristian Hernandez, and he has significant expectations attached to him after a $3 million signing bonus. It’s too early to attach a realistic timeline for Valdez. He could start in the Dominican League again next summer or the Cubs could bring him stateside to Arizona and the Complex League. His progress this winter will dictate where he starts. A call stateside would be a win.
2023 Chicago Cubs Top 30 Prospect Wraps:
No. 30: Christian Franklin | No. 29: Brody McCullough | No. 28: Kohl Franklin | No. 27: Pablo Aliendo | No. 26: Porter Hodge | No. 25: Luke Little | No. 24: Jaxon Wiggins | No. 23: Caleb Kilian | No. 22: Josh Rivera | No. 21: Luis Vazquez | No. 20: Cristian Hernandez | No. 19: Brennen Davis | No. 18: B.J. Murray Jr. | No. 17: Haydn McGeary |
