George Valera
24-Year-Old
Out
Injury Knee
Est. Return 4/1/2025
2024 Stats
AVG
.000
HR
0
RBI
0
R
0
SB
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
A generous outlook would be that 2023 was a lost season for Valera and he'll rebound this year. The 23-year-old outfielder missed time with wrist and hamstring injuries and also served a six-game suspension from an altercation with an opposing player at Triple-A. He once seemed poised to eventually be a regular in Cleveland's outfield, but that's looking less likely after he slashed .211/.343/.375 as an age-appropriate hitter in the International League. Valera was once a center fielder, but he now seems best suited for left field, especially on the defense-focused Guardians. That means he'll need to rake, and he does still have above-average raw power and he's logged walk rates north of 12 percent at every stop since the beginning of the 2022 season and for the majority of his professional career. We'll give him one more year as a legitimate prospect, but another underwhelming year at the dish against Triple-A pitching could cost him his spot on Cleveland's 40-man roster. Read Past Outlooks
Loses spot on 40-man roster
The Guardians designated Valera (knee) for assignment Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Valera underwent surgery in September to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee, and his absence is expected to extend into the first portion of the 2025 campaign. Rather than keeping him on the 40-man roster until then, the Guardians will attempt to pass the 24-year-old through waivers and hand his roster spot to fellow outfielder Petey Halpin.
Valera underwent surgery in September to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee, and his absence is expected to extend into the first portion of the 2025 campaign. Rather than keeping him on the 40-man roster until then, the Guardians will attempt to pass the 24-year-old through waivers and hand his roster spot to fellow outfielder Petey Halpin.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Valera wasn't bad in 2022, but he isn't trending in the right direction after his age-21 season. The left-handed slugger hit for plenty of power (30.1 Hard%, .463 SLG, 24 HR), but his .250 average and 25.6 K% across Double-A and Triple-A weren't ideal marks for a player with his pedigree. As has always been the case, Valera has more value in OBP leagues (.353 OBP, 13.1 BB%) than AVG leagues. There is still a chance he will do more than enough at the plate to profile in left field or at designated hitter. However, Cleveland all of a sudden has a crowded depth chart in the upper levels, so Valera will have to earn his opportunities. Any speed contributions from Valera in the majors will be a bonus.
More Fantasy News
Will undergo surgery on right knee
Valera was diagnosed with a patellar tendon rupture in his right knee and will undergo surgery Wednesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports. He's expected to require a 6-to-9-month recovery period.
ANALYSIS
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Goes on IL
Triple-A Columbus placed Valera on its 7-day injured list Friday due to a right knee strain.
ANALYSIS
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Cleared for season debut
Triple-A Columbus reinstated Valera (hamstring) from its 7-day injured list Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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Opens season on shelf
Triple-A Columbus placed Valera (hamstring) on its 7-day injured list Friday.
ANALYSIS
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Sent down to Triple-A
Valera (hamstring) was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Friday.
ANALYSIS
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Struggling at Triple-A
Valera owns a .208 batting average with just three home runs through 246 Triple-A plate appearances this season.
ANALYSIS
Valera has stolen only one base as well, and he's never exceeded 10 stolen bases across five years in the minors. With speed a non-factor in his prospect profile, Valera rebounding at the dish is a critical next step. The 22-year-old had his right hamate bone removed last offseason, which could be a tough factor to overcome given his prolonged hitting struggles.
Valera has stolen only one base as well, and he's never exceeded 10 stolen bases across five years in the minors. With speed a non-factor in his prospect profile, Valera rebounding at the dish is a critical next step. The 22-year-old had his right hamate bone removed last offseason, which could be a tough factor to overcome given his prolonged hitting struggles.