Framber Valdez

Framber Valdez, annual major league baseball (MLB) All-Star player, Opening Day starter, and World Series champion, was born on November 19, 1993, in Palenque, San Cristóbal Province, Dominican Republic. Known by his nickname “La Grasa” for his unique fashion style, Valdez began honing his slot as a pitcher at the young age of 16. His promising talent was soon spotted by scouts of the Houston Astros which culminated in his signing on as an international free agent with the team in 2015 for a $10,000 bonus – an undeniable bargain given his subsequent trajectory as a player.

However, his rise to fame was not without its share of difficulties. Even at the early age of 21, Valdez was considered older than other amateurs from his country. His fitness challenges resulted in potential agreements with seven teams being rescinded due to concerns that he might require ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, also known as “Tommy John surgery.” These setbacks were met by Valdez with fortitude and determination, setting a precedent for his future career achievements.

Valdez’s professional career took off in 2015 with the DSL Astros, where he pitched 36+2⁄3 innings earning himself a 4–1 record and a 3.68 ERA. In the following three years, between 2016-2018, Valdez split his season playing for several minor league teams until, finally, in August 2018, he was promoted to the major leagues. His MLB debut was grid-marked with a stellar win, pitching 4+1⁄3 innings, a performance that eventually set his path to be a sought-after baseball pitcher.

Through the years, with the help of team sports psychologist Dr. Andy Nuñez, Valdez managed to harness his emotions and imbibe controlled breathing techniques, a formula that significantly contributed to his success on the field. This was particularly apparent during the 2020 season when he garnered a 5–3 record with a 3.57 ERA across 11 games (10 starts). This feat earned him the title of Astros’ Pitcher of the Year by the Houston chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA).

In 2021, Valdez faced a setback when a fracture in his left ring finger during spring training threatened to sideline him for months. However, he turned the tide and made an impressive comeback in May the same year, eventually leading the major leagues in ground ball rate. By the end of the season, he had marked a 11–6 record with one complete game and a 3.14 ERA in 22 starts and 134+2⁄3 innings.

His spectacular performance earned him a spot in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) – Game 5, where he outshone the Boston Red Sox with a decisive win. His triumph was marred by baseless allegations of cheating, which only propelled him further into superstardom.

March 22, 2022, started off with Valdez avoiding arbitration with the Astros, negotiating a $3 million contract for the season. This year witnessed meteoric success for Valdez, placing several records under his belt, beginning with his debut as an Opening Day starting pitcher, recording 6+2⁄3 scoreless innings in a 3–1 game. His first-ever complete nine-inning game was marked on May 30 and a new career-high of 13 strikeouts in a game on July 3.

In addition to being named in the MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, Valdez set the record for the highest single-season MLB record with 25 consecutive quality starts, making him the first in Astros history to receive the win in an All-Star Game. His exceptional performance culminated in an outstanding MLB record of 17-6 in 31 games and the Astros winning the World Series.

With his contract renewed for the 2023 season for a generous sum of 6.8 million dollars, Valdez continued to keep his winning streak alive, marking his first no-hitter against the Cleveland Guardians at Minute Maid Park in August. By the end of the season, Valdez had marked a 3.45 ERA, 12–11 W–L record, and 200 strikeouts in 198+1⁄3 innings. For the second time, he was named Astros’ Pitcher of the Year.

Apart from his career, Valdez is a committed family man, married and a proud father of three children. His father, José Antonio Valdéz Ramírez, finally overcame his fear of flying to witness his son’s match in Game 2 of the 2022 World Series. Valdez, a staunch Christian, has used his financial success to give back to his community, notably, through a gift of $100,000 to build a church in his hometown.