Baseball Player Magazine

Effrey Valdez could look at his numbers from the 2009 season and pat himself on the back. Surely after leading New York Tech in nearly every major offensive category – batting average (.401), on-base percentage (.470), slugging percentage (.646), hits (77), home runs (11) and runs batted in (40) – he could justifiably say that he did his job. Not so for Valdez. He knows he can improve, whether it’s at the plate, at third or on the basepaths. More than anything, though, he’s working hard so that another quotient improves – team victories.

Last year, the Bears went just 19-29-1. This spring, with its No. 3 hitter daring pitchers to give him a pitch to swing at, Tech will take a crack at posting a winning record as it makes its first foray into playing in the Great West Conference, joining Chicago State, Houston Baptist, New Jersey Tech, North Dakota, Texas-Pan American and Utah Valley State.

“I felt good about what I accomplished, but I wish we did a little bit better as a team,” Valdez said. “That’s what it’s all about – winning.”

For all his good intentions, his numbers are difficult to ignore. Valdez, who hit .332 as a redshirt freshman and was named the Division I Independent Newcomer of the Year, didn’t set out to hit .400, and he wasn’t thinking about that elusive milestone when his average stood at .304 following an 0-for-4 day against Le Moyne on April 9. From there, though, he caught fire. In less than a month, his average rose to .374 heading into May and a month in which he went 19 for 37 (.514) put him at .401 for the season. He didn’t let up late either, going 6 for 8 in the Bears’ final two games at Le Moyne to finish the climb. He ended last season on a 21-game hit streak and collected 45 hits in his last 87 at-bats, a pace of .517. For his efforts, Valdez was honored with All-Independent Second Team recognition.

“I’ve been working hard my whole life,” Valdez said. “It feels good to see results. I’m just training hard and trying to move on to the next level.”

He only increased his stock with a spectacular summer swinging the wood for the Lowell Americans of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, one of the top spots in the country. Valdez hit .326 and his 47 hits were second-best on the team. He’ll play in Lowell again this summer. “It was a great experience,” Valdez said. “We faced top competition every day.” A three-year varsity player at Holy Cross High School in Flushing, Valdez earned All-City honors as a senior. He envisioned demonstrating his abilities one day at the pro level and has worked diligently this off-season on what he felt were his shortcomings. He’s looked to improve his foot speed after going without a stolen base as a sophomore. His 15 errors at the hot corner and .902 fielding percentage could improve too. He’ll look to become the first Tech player drafted since the Baltimore Orioles selected outfielder Kraig Binick in the 27th round in 2007.

“It’s a humbling game,” Valdez said. “I know I have to keep working hard and keeping a positive outlook with everything I do. I know that I can play and I know not to put too much pressure on myself and try to do too much. I just want to go out and have fun and play the best that I can.”