George Valera

George Valera

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 195 lb.

• Born November 13, 2000 in Queens, NY USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Outfielder George Valera was born in the United States but moved to the Dominican Republic, from which his parents originated, at age 13, where he developed his baseball skills. The move was not planned bit a result of his father being seriously injured in car accident and reacting badly to cold weather after having metal rods inserted in his arms and legs to help repair severe fractures. His father settled in his birth city of San Pedro de Macorís, where he opened a small business. George hardly spoke any Spanish at the time, but he adapted to the new environment. He was thus considered an international amateur free agent when the Cleveland Indians signed him on July 2, 2017, for a bonus of $1.3 million.

He began his pro career in 2018 with the AZL Indians 2, batting .333 in 6 games. He got more playing time in 2019, when he played 46 games for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the Midwest League and another 6 for the Lake County Captains of the Midwest League. His combined slash line was .217/.336/.411. He then had to sit out the 2020 season when the minor leagues were shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, he started at Lake County and earned a mid-season promotion to the Akron Rubber Ducks in AA, reaching that level very quickly. Overall, he hit .260/.405/.505 with 19 homers (but just 5 doubles) in 86 games and 65 RBIs. In 2022, the budding slugger was excellent in the Eastern League, getting a chance to play in AAA with the Columbus Clippers at the end of the season. He also was called up to represent the American League at the 2022 Futures Game played on July 16th at Dodger Stadium. That season, he batted .250/.353/..463 in 132 games, with 25 doubles, 24 homers, 89 runs and 82 RBIs. He was named a postseason All-Star in the Eastern League, as well as a Cleveland Guardians (as the parent team had been re-named) organizational All-Star.

Further Reading

• Jesse Sanchez: "Top prospect finds home in Indians system: 17-year-old Valera, ranked 5th in organization by MLB Pipeline, can play all three outfield positions", mlb.com, August 20, 2018. [1]