Wilson Valdéz

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**Wilson Valdez**

Kia Tigers — No. 49
Shortstop
Born: May 20, 1978 (1978-05-20) (age 30)
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
September 7, 2004 for the Chicago White Sox
Selected MLB statistics (through 2007)
Batting average	.211
Runs batted in	20
Home runs	1
Teams
Chicago White Sox (2004) Seattle Mariners (2005) San Diego Padres (2005) Los Angeles Dodgers (2007)

Wilson Antonio Valdéz (born May 20, 1978 in Nizao, Peravia, Dominican Republic) is a shortstop currently playing for the Kia Tigers in the Korean Baseball League.

Valdez was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Montreal Expos on February 4, 1997. He played on the Expos Dominican League Teams from 1997-1999 and then on various Minor League "A" ball teams for the Expos through 2001.

On March 29, 2002, he was claimed off waivers by the Florida Marlins and sent to the Marlins "AA" team in Portland. He continued in the Marlins organization in 2003, playing with their AA team in Carolina and their "AAA" team in Albuquerque.

On June 17, 2004, while hitting .319 for Albuquerque, he was traded by the Marlins with cash to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for reliever Billy Koch. The White Sox promptly assigned him to their "AAA" afiliate in Charlotte where he hit .302 and earned his first major league call-up in September of 2004 to the White Sox. In limited action he hit .233 for the Sox.

After the season, he was waived by the White Sox and claimed by the Seattle Mariners. He started the 2005 season as the starting shortstop for the Mariners. However, he hit an anemic .198 and was traded to the San Diego Padres on June 9, 2005. After a stint with the Padres "AAA" team in Portland, he was returned to the Major Leagues with the Padres, hitting .231 in August as a utility player.

After the 2005 season, he was released by the Padres and signed to a minor league contract by the Kansas City Royals who promptly traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers during spring training.

He spent the 2006 season with the Dodgers "AAA" team, the Las Vegas 51s, where he hit .297 and stole 26 bases.

A spring training injury to the Dodgers starting shortstop Rafael Furcal in 2007, created an opening day roster spot for Valdez and he got plenty of playing time early for the Dodgers; however, after a quick start he quickly cooled and was returned to the 51s. On January 3, 2008, Valdez's contract was sold to the Kia Tigers.