Jordany Valdespin


Jordany V. Valdespin is a Dominican professional baseball player for the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. He has played in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets and Miami Marlins. He was suspended for 50 games during the 2013 Biogenesis baseball scandal.

Professional career

New York Mets

Valdespin began his professional career in 2007, playing for the DSL Mets. That year, he hit.245 with one home run and 16 RBIs in 43 games. In 2008, he played for the GCL Mets, hitting.284 with three home runs and 22 RBIs in 34 games. He split 2009 between the DSL Mets, GCL Mets, Brooklyn Cyclones and Savannah Sand Gnats, hitting a combined.298 with four home runs, 28 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 67 games. He split 2010 between the St. Lucie Mets and Binghamton Mets, hitting a combined.272 with six home runs, 41 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 93 games. In 2011, Valdespin hit.294 with 17 home runs, 60 RBIs and 37 stolen bases in the Mets minor league system.

2012 season

On April 23, 2012 Valdespin was called up for the second game in a doubleheader versus the San Francisco Giants. In his debut Valdespin pinch hit for Manny Acosta in the eighth inning. Valdespin started his first major league game on April 27, playing left field and batting eighth against the Miami Marlins. While pinch hitting on May 7, Valdespin collected his first major league hit, home run and RBI on a three-run home run against Jonathan Papelbon of the Philadelphia Phillies to break a tie in the ninth inning. That same hit made Valdespin the first player to ever record his first hit as a home run off a player who has 200 or more career saves. On July 24, he broke a Mets franchise record by hitting his fifth pinch-hit home run of the season, off of Ryan Mattheus of the Washington Nationals. On August 26 Valdespin was optioned to Triple-A but was recalled on September 4.

2013 season

Valdespin made the Opening Day roster for the New York Mets and was set to platoon in center field with Collin Cowgill. On April 24, 2013, Valdespin hit a walk off grand slam, the first Met to do so since Kevin McReynolds hit one on June 25, 1991 against the Montreal Expos.
On July 15, 2013, Valdespin was sent down to the AAA Las Vegas 51s after hitting only.188 that season, leading to a confrontation with manager Terry Collins in which Valdespin referred to his skipper as a cocksucker before demanding to be placed on the disabled list. This followed several incidents of showboating, most recently on May 11 and 12 when he hit celebrated a home run while down four runs in one game, then was hit by a pitch during a pinch hit appearance the next day in retaliation.
On August 5, 2013, Valdespin was suspended for 50 games from baseball for using performance-enhancing drugs obtained from Biogenesis. Valdespin was reinstated on September 25, 2013, and assigned to Triple-A. After the season, Valdespin was non-tendered by the Mets, making him a free agent.

Miami Marlins

On December 20, 2013 the Miami Marlins signed Valdespin to a minor league contract. He was called up to the Marlins on July 19, 2014. He was outrighted off the roster on October 10, 2014. He returned to the Major League roster on July 6, 2015. During the 2015 season, Valdespin hit.293 with two home runs and 20 RBIs in 76 games for the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs.

Detroit Tigers

On December 23, 2015, the Detroit Tigers signed Valdespin to a minor league contract. He elected free agency on November 7, 2016.

Leones de Yucatán

On February 2, 2017, Valdespin signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on April 18, 2017.

Olmecas de Tabasco

On April 21, 2017, Valdespin signed with the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on July 5, 2017.

Long Island Ducks

On March 15, 2018, Valdespin signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He hit.338/.399/.487 with 12 home runs, 30 stolen bases and a league-leading 94 runs scored. He also lead the league in triples and hits. Despite coming up just short of winning the ALPB Batting Title, Valdespin was named the 2018 Independent Leagues Player of the Year by Baseball America.

Minnesota Twins

On January 25, 2019, Valdespin signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins that included an invitation to spring training. He started the 2019 season with the Rochester Red Wings. Valdespin was released on August 9, 2019.

Toros de Tijuana

On January 7, 2020, Valdespin signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.