Jose Valverde

Jose Valverde is a professional Major League Baseball player, known affectionately to his teammates as “Papa Grande". He was born March 24, 1978 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/components/team/player/bio_iframe.html?is_mug_shot=true&roster_cid=det&cid=det&player_id=407878 He graduated from Escuela San Lorenzo in 1997, the same year he was signed as an amateur free agent to a professional baseball contract by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Jose, his wife Luisa, and daughter Montscrat make their off-season home in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Papa Grande is a Right Handed Pitcher who also swings from the right side of home plate. His brother Jonathan, played three seasons at the Minor League level with the Los Angeles Dodgers, before spending one season with the Arizona Diamondbacks at the Major League level. He has two uncles who also have professional baseball experience; Jose Mercedes with the Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos, and Carols who played in the minor leagues.

Valverde made his professional debut June 1, 2003 with the Diamondbacks.

In 2007 he was selected to his first All-Star Game, but did not play. The same year he was selected as the National League Saves Champion and the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year, which is awarded to the best closer in the MLB season.

He was traded to the Houston Astros for pitchers Chad Qualls, Juan Gutiérrez and IF/OF Chris Burke on December 14, 2007

Jose signed with the Detroit Tigers on January 19, 2010 as a free agent. He received a two year contract, with an option for a third year.

Early in the season, Jose has converted 6 of his first 7 save opportunities for the Detroit Tigers. Manager Jim Leyland will be counting on him heavily to replace last years' closer Fernando Rodney, who blew only 1 save the entire year. When the Tigers signed Valverde, it meant they had the closer they felt would help lead them to the Central Division championship.

After 21 games, Jose has 7 saves, 4 strikeouts, and a 1.00 ERA, and has appeared in 10 games. He has allowed 5 hits and 3 base on balls in 9 innings as the Tigers are holding down 2nd place in the American League Central.http://tigers.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407878

June 07, 2010 - After 57 games, Jose has proved worth every bit of money the Tigers gave to sign him as well as the loss of their first round draft choice. He has converted 12 of 13 save opportunites and has a 0.39 ERA in 23 innings pitched, while allowing only 9 hits and 1 earned run.

In his second season with the Houston Astros, Jose converted 25 of 29 save opportunities. He was hampered during the first half of the season by a right calf strain. Valverde was assigned to Double A Corpus Christi for a rehabilitation assignment that lasted from June 10th through June 13th. He was then recalled to Houston for the remainder of the year.

During the second half or the season, Valverde had 17 saves, a 1.64 ERA and a 4 win 0 loss record. He fanned 56 batters in 54 innings, while allowing 21 base-on-balls. For the season, hitters posted a low .207 batting average against him. http://tigers.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407878

After the season Jose declined salary arbitration and opted for free-agency. He was signed by the Tigers early in 2010.

2008 Season

Jose was named "DHL Delivery Man Of The Month" for August while pitching with the Houston Astros. He recorded 44 saves in 51 opportunities, while posting 6 wins against 3 losses. He finished the season with a 3.38 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 72 inning pitched. His 44 saves led all National League relievers.

2007 Season

Valverde was named "Player Of The Week" on May 20, 2007 while pitching with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was selected to the National League All Star Team and led the league in saves, converting 47 of 54 chances. For the season, Jose posted a 2.66 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 64 innings.

2006 Season

During the season Jose posted 69 strikeouts in only 49 innings, but also collected the highest ER of his career at 5.84. He did however manage to collect 18 saves in only 22 opportunities.

2005 Season

Jose was 15 for 17 in save opportunities and took over the closing role from Brian Bruney. For the season he posted a 2.44 ERA and notched 75 strikeouts in 69 innings.http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valvejo01.shtml#trans

2004 Season

Valverde recorded 8 saves and 38 strikeouts in 29 innings. He landed on the disabled list with a small tear in the labrum, which ended his season prematurely.

2003 Season

Jose made his Major League debut on June 1]], 2003 at San Diego. He pitched the ninth inning allowing 2 hits, 2 walks and striking out the side. He completed his Rookie campaign with a 2.15 ERA and 10 saves in 11 chances. He also recorded 71 strikeouts while pitching only 50 innings. Jose was named "Player Of The Week" on June 22, 2003.http://tigers.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=407878