Phillies Pleasantly Surprised by Jesmuel Valentin This Spring

Jesmuel Valentin came into this spring hoping to compete for a bench spot, but the Phillies were so impressed they would rather him be in the lineup at Triple-A.

Heading into this spring, I thought Jesmuel Valentin would make the Phillies roster as the team’s second infielder on the bench. However, no one saw Brock Stassi coming into camp and making the major-league roster after six years in the minors. Instead, Valentin will head back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season and line up alongside J.P. Crawford as the starting second baseman there.

Despite not making the roster, Valentin is still happy with his time in camp with the big-league team. He told Matt Gelb of Philly.com:

"“I’m really satisfied. I’m really happy for that. I came here to give a really good first impression, but I never thought I was going to be here so late. I didn’t make it. But I’m so happy with the work I did. I opened more eyes. I’m happy that they already know what I can do.”"

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In 41 spring at-bats, Valentin collected 15 hits. He finished spring training with a .366/.422/.512 line with four runs batted in and six doubles. Valentin mostly played at second base but did see time at shortstop in four games.

General manager Matt Klentak said that Valentin was a “surprise” this spring but that it was a “good thing.” Valentin was on very few people’s radars, but after being traded to the Phils in 2014.

However, Valentin has started to make a name for himself since being added to the 40-man roster during the offseason.

Manager Pete Mackanin said that they were considering adding Valentin to the major-league roster, but said Valentin is “too young and too good of a player. He has to play.”

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Had Valentin been on the major-league roster, he probably wouldn’t have played very much considering Cesar Hernandez and Freddy Galvis don’t miss much time and Andres Blanco usually fills in for them if they do. At Triple-A, Valentin will be able to get at-bats every day in the starting lineup.

Valentin said to Gelb:

"“I have to think about what is going to be best for my career, so that was the best decision, to be playing every day in triple A,. I’m only 22 years old. I need those ABs, so I know they want the best for me and the best for the team.”"

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As the only infielder on the 40-man roster not in the majors, Valentin could be in Philadelphia quite soon if an injury strikes.