RotoWire Partners

Luis Valbuena

27-Year-Old Third Baseman – Chicago Cubs

2013 Stats

AVG

.257

HR

5

RBI

14

R

9

SB

1

2013 RotoWire Projections

AVG

HR

RBI

R

SB

2013 Fantasy Baseball Outlook

After a strong showing in 211 Triple-A at-bats, Valbuena saw semi-regular work as the Cubs' third baseman, but struggled in that role, posting just a .650 OPS in 265 at-bats. Nonetheless, he managed 2...

Read more about Luis Valbuena

LEAGUE: Majors   40 MAN: YES   BATS: L   THROWS: R   HT: 5' 10"   WT: 195   DOB: 11/30/1985   BORN: Zulia, Venezuela   COLLEGE: None   DRAFTED: No   Show ContractHide Contract

$

Luis Valbuena Contract Information:

Agreed to a one-year, $930,000 contract with the Cubs in January 2013, avoiding arbitration.

May 21, 2013  –  Luis Valbuena News

▼ More

RotoWire Fantasy Analysis

+ Add To Watchlist

Valbuena is not in the Cubs' lineup Tuesday at Pittsburgh.

To instantly reveal our fantasy analysis of every player – including Luis Valbuena – simply subscribe now.

Luis Valbuena Stats
OPTIONS:   Show Partial SeasonsHide Partial Seasons      Show Minor League StatsHide Minor League Stats       Show 5x5 Stats OnlyShow All Statistics       Click stat headings to sort columns.
Year Age Lg Tm G PA AB R H XBH 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO SH SF HBP AVG OBP SLG OPS
2007 21 AA WES 122 505 444 55 106 37 23 3 11 44 10 6 48 83 6 6 1 .239 .311 .378 .689
2008 22 AA WES 70 277 240 43 73 23 12 2 9 40 8 4 31 37 4 2 0 .304 .381 .483 .864
2008 22 AAA TAC 58 246 212 41 64 11 9 0 2 20 10 4 28 32 6 0 0 .302 .383 .373 .756
2008 22 MAJ SEA 18 54 49 6 12 5 5 0 0 1 0 0 4 11 0 0 1 .245 .315 .347 .662
2009 23 AAA COL 21 90 73 13 23 8 4 2 2 11 3 3 16 11 1 0 0 .315 .438 .507 .945
2009 23 MAJ CLE 103 398 368 52 92 38 25 3 10 31 2 3 26 83 2 2 0 .250 .298 .416 .714
2010 24 AAA Col 25 119 96 23 30 15 8 1 6 20 2 0 19 21 2 1 1 .313 .427 .604 1.031
2010 24 MAJ CLE 91 310 275 22 53 14 12 0 2 24 1 2 28 61 2 2 3 .193 .273 .258 .531
2011 25 AAA Col 113 472 420 64 127 39 22 0 17 75 6 3 46 96 1 3 2 .302 .372 .476 .848
2011 25 MAJ CLE 17 44 43 4 9 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 9 0 0 0 .209 .227 .279 .506
2012 26 AAA Iow 58 246 211 38 64 26 17 1 8 31 1 1 28 50 0 6 1 .303 .378 .507 .885
2012 26 MAJ CHC 90 303 265 26 58 24 20 0 4 28 0 2 36 55 0 2 0 .219 .310 .340 .650
2013 27 MAJ CHC 35 124 105 9 27 10 5 0 5 14 1 1 17 23 0 1 1 .257 .363 .448 .811
AccuScore ROS Projections MAJ   Subscribe now to see the 2013 Rest Of Season AccuScore projections for Luis Valbuena
2013 RotoWire Projections MAJ   Subscribe now to see our 2013 projections for Luis Valbuena
3-Year Averages MAJ   66 217 194 17 40 12 10 0 2 17 0 1 21 41 0 1 1 .206 .286 .289 .574
Career  (View All) MAJ   354 1233 1105 119 251 92 67 3 22 99 5 8 112 242 4 7 5 .227 .299 .353 .652

Age is determined on July 1st of each season.       Jump To:     ▼ Advanced Stats      ▼ Batter vs. Pitcher Stats     ▼ Games By Position

No No No
Luis Valbuena Game Log    (View Full Game Log)
# of Days To Display:    Show 7Show 7    Show 14Show 14    Show 30Show 30
DATE OPP AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS HBP SF E AVG OBP SLG OPS
May. 19 NYM 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 .257 .363 .448 .811
May. 18 NYM 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .267 .375 .465 .840
May. 17 NYM 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .263 .371 .465 .836
May. 15 Col 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 .271 .381 .479 .860
May. 14 Col Did not play.
May. 13 Col Did not play.
May. 12 @Was Did not play.
May. 11 @Was 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .272 .385 .489 .874
May. 10 @Was 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .267 .383 .478 .861
May. 8 StL 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .270 .387 .483 .870
May. 7 StL 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 .264 .373 .483 .856
May. 6 Tex 4 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .271 .374 .494 .868
May. 5 Cin 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 .247 .358 .469 .827
May. 4 Cin 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .250 .341 .475 .816
May. 3 Cin 4 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .253 .344 .481 .825
May. 2 SD 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .227 .326 .467 .793
May. 1 SD 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .230 .329 .473 .802
Apr. 30 SD 3 1 1 0 0 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 .243 .338 .500 .838
Apr. 29 SD Did not play.
Apr. 28 @Mia 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .239 .329 .463 .792
Apr. 27 @Mia 4 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .254 .347 .492 .839
Apr. 26 @Mia Did not play.
Apr. 25 @Mia 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .237 .338 .475 .813
Apr. 24 @Cin 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .236 .344 .436 .780
Apr. 23 @Cin Did not play.
Apr. 22 @Cin 6 1 2 0 0 1 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 .231 .344 .442 .786
Apr. 21 @Mil 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .217 .345 .391 .736
Apr. 20 @Mil 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .238 .373 .429 .802
Apr. 19 @Mil 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .231 .375 .436 .811
Apr. 18 Tex 4 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .222 .364 .361 .725
Last 7 Days 13 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 4 0 1 0 1 0 .154 .200 .154 .354
Last 14 Days 26 3 7 2 0 0 1 7 9 0 1 0 1 1 .269 .412 .346 .758
Last 30 Days 73 7 21 4 0 4 11 9 15 1 1 1 1 2 .288 .369 .507 .876
Today's Game
AccuScore Projection
PIT Subscribe now to see AccuScore's projected stats for Luis Valbuena for today's game.
Next 7 Days
AccuScore Projection
Subscribe now to see AccuScore's projected stats for Luis Valbuena over the next seven days.

Luis Valbuena: MLB Games Played By Position

Year C 1B 2B 3B SS OF LF CF RF DH
2013 4 31
2012 5 82
2011 11 1 2 2 2
2010 71 9 5 1 1 3
2009 77 1 28

Jump To:     ▲ Basic Stats      ▲ Split Stats      ▼ Advanced Stats

Luis Valbuena Split Stats    (View Full Split Stats)

Vs. Left

Year AB R HR RBI SB AVG SLG OPS
2013100010.100.100.408
2012567190.196.321.624
2011122111.250.500.750

Vs. Right

Year AB R HR RBI SB AVG SLG OPS
20139595131.274.484.854
2012209193190.225.344.657
2011312000.194.194.412

Home

Year AB R HR RBI SB AVG SLG OPS
2013555181.291.400.837
2012138142150.225.341.666
2011151001.200.200.450

Away

Year AB R HR RBI SB AVG SLG OPS
2013504460.220.500.764
2012127122130.213.339.632
2011283110.214.321.536
Luis Valbuena Advanced Stats
OPTIONS:   Show Partial SeasonsHide Partial Seasons      Show Minor League StatsHide Minor League Stats      Click stat headings to sort columns.
Year Age Lg Tm PA AB Walk Rate Strikeout Rate BB/K Ratio Contact Rate BABIP Isolated Power
2007 21 AA WES 505 444 9.5% 16.4% 0.58 81% .271 .139
2008 22 AA WES 277 240 11.2% 13.4% 0.84 85% .330 .179
2008 22 AAA TAC 246 212 11.4% 13% 0.88 85% .348 .071
2008 22 MAJ SEA 54 49 7.4% 20.4% 0.36 78% .316 .102
2009 23 AAA COL 90 73 17.8% 12.2% 1.45 85% .350 .192
2009 23 MAJ CLE 398 368 6.5% 20.9% 0.31 77% .298 .166
2010 24 AAA Col 119 96 16% 17.6% 0.90 78% .348 .291
2010 24 MAJ CLE 310 275 9% 19.7% 0.46 78% .241 .065
2011 25 AAA Col 472 420 9.7% 20.3% 0.48 77% .358 .174
2011 25 MAJ CLE 44 43 2.3% 20.5% 0.11 79% .242 .070
2012 26 AAA Iow 246 211 11.4% 20.3% 0.56 76% .366 .204
2012 26 MAJ CHC 303 265 11.9% 18.2% 0.65 79% .262 .121
2013 27 MAJ CHC 124 105 13.7% 18.5% 0.74 78% .286 .191
2013 Projections MAJ   Subscribe now to see our 2013 projections for Luis Valbuena
3-Year Averages MAJ   217 194 9.7% 18.9% 0.51 79% .252 .083
Career MAJ   1233 1105 9.1% 19.6% 0.46 78% .272 .126

Age is determined on July 1st of each season.       Jump To:     ▲ Basic Stats      ▲ Split Stats      ▼ Batter vs. Pitcher Stats     ▲ Games By Position

No No

2013 Stat Review for Luis Valbuena    As compared to the top 350 hitters in 2012 (min 200 PA)

Contact

Good contact skills often lead to better fantasy stats.

Explain This

.257 AVG
AVERAGE
78% Contact Rate
AVERAGE
.286 BABIP
BELOW AVERAGE
Power

SLG and ISO are useful indicators of power.

Explain This

.448 SLG
GOOD
.191 ISO
GOOD
Plate Discipline

Patience at the plate often leads to positive outcomes.

Explain This

0.74 BB/K
GREAT
13.7% BB Rate
ELITE
18.5% K Rate
AVERAGE
OPS/OBP

A couple of useful stats for evaluating a hitter.

Explain This

.811 OPS
GOOD
.363 OBP
GREAT

2013 Projected Stats Breakdown for Luis Valbuena

Overall Ratings

2013 projections compared to top 300 hitters in 2012 (min 250 PA)

???  At Bats
Hidden  Show Rating
???  AVG
Hidden  Show Rating
???  Home Runs
Hidden  Show Rating
???  RBI
Hidden  Show Rating
???  Runs
Hidden  Show Rating
???  Stolen Bases
Hidden  Show Rating
Ratings As 3B

2013 projections compared to top third basemen in 2012 (min 250 PA)

???  At Bats
Hidden  Show Rating
???  AVG
Hidden  Show Rating
???  Home Runs
Hidden  Show Rating
???  RBI
Hidden  Show Rating
???  Runs
Hidden  Show Rating
???  Stolen Bases
Hidden  Show Rating

Chicago Cubs Roster

Career Batter vs. Pitcher Stats    (View All Matchup Data)

Best Matchups for Luis Valbuena (by OPS, min 3 AB)

Batter Team AB H HR RBI BB K SB AVG SLG OPS
John Danks CHI-A 3 3 0 1 0 0 0 1.000 1.000 2.000
Tommy Hanson ANA 3 2 0 3 0 0 0 .667 1.333 2.000
Dillon Gee NY-N 6 4 0 1 0 0 0 .667 1.000 1.667
Zach Stewart CHI-A 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 .800 .800 1.600
David Hernandez AZ 6 3 1 1 0 1 0 .500 1.000 1.500
Bronson Arroyo CIN 8 3 1 1 1 0 0 .375 1.000 1.444
Carlos Torres NY-N 3 2 0 0 1 0 0 .667 .667 1.417
Vin Mazzaro PIT 6 4 0 1 0 1 0 .667 .667 1.333
Bud Norris HOU 6 2 1 1 0 1 0 .333 1.000 1.333
Rich Harden MIN 4 1 1 3 0 1 0 .250 1.000 1.250

Worst Matchups for Luis Valbuena (by OPS, min 3 AB)

Batter Team AB H HR RBI BB K SB AVG SLG OPS
Joe Kelly STL 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 .000 .000
Michael Kohn ANA 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 .000 .000
Tim Lincecum SF 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 .000 .000
Lucas Harrell HOU 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .000 .000 .000
Kyle Lohse MIL 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000
Jordan Lyles HOU 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000
Brian Matusz BAL 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .000 .000 .000
Brandon McCarthy AZ 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 .000 .000
Jamey Wright TB 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 .000 .000
Jordan Zimmermann WAS 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 .000 .000

Note: Stats are from 2002 through the 2012 season.     Jump To:     ▲ Basic Stats      ▲ Split Stats      ▲ Advanced Stats      ▲ Games By Position

Luis Valbuena: Past News Updates   ( ▲ View most recent update )

Valbuena (finger) is back in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Exclusive Fantasy Analysis

Subscribe to RotoWire now to instantly reveal our analysis.
Cubs manager Dale Sveum said that Valbuena (finger) will return to the lineup Wednesday, Gorden Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Exclusive Fantasy Analysis

Subscribe to RotoWire now to instantly reveal our analysis.
Though Valbuena (finger) was available as a pinch hitter Sunday, he wasn't used, the Associated Press reports.

Exclusive Fantasy Analysis

Subscribe to RotoWire now to instantly reveal our analysis.
Valbuena (finger) was able to play catch and hit in the batting cage Sunday and should be available as a pinch hitter against the Nationals, MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports.

Exclusive Fantasy Analysis

Subscribe to RotoWire now to instantly reveal our analysis.
X-rays on Valbuena's right pinky finger were returned negative, and he's considered day-to-day, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Exclusive Fantasy Analysis

Subscribe to RotoWire now to instantly reveal our analysis.
Valbuena jammed his right pinky finger on a slide into third base Saturday and was sent for X-rays, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Exclusive Fantasy Analysis

Subscribe to RotoWire now to instantly reveal our analysis.
Valbuena is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Nationals.

Exclusive Fantasy Analysis

Subscribe to RotoWire now to instantly reveal our analysis.
Valbuena is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Padres.

Exclusive Fantasy Analysis

Subscribe to RotoWire now to instantly reveal our analysis.
Valbuena is not in the lineup Monday against the Padres.

Exclusive Fantasy Analysis

Subscribe to RotoWire now to instantly reveal our analysis.

RotoWire's Preseason Outlooks

2013

Subscribe now to see our 2013 outlook.

2012

Valbuena spent most of his time at Triple-A Columbus last season after failing to earn a roster spot in spring training, hitting .302 with 22 doubles and 17 homers in 113 games. He struggled in a couple of brief looks with the Indians, following the trend he established the previous season. The Blue Jays acquired him for cash in the offseason where he'll look to resurrect his career. If the results at Triple-A (career .304/.387/.468 in 937 plate appearances) are any indication, there may be a useful utility player buried here.

2011

Valbuena started the season as the team's starting second baseman but got demoted after an ugly start and didn't fare much better upon his recall. It all added up to an ugly .193/.273/.258 season and clouds his future as an everyday option for Cleveland. He'll likely back up second base, shortstop and third base for the Indians unless he has a torrid spring. There's not enough power and speed here to warrant much of a look.

2010

Valbuena was thrust into everyday duties following the trade of Mark DeRosa and quite simply wasn't ready to swim quite yet. A quick start at Triple-A (.321/.436/.538) opened up some organizational eyes and earned himself a promotion, but he likely was better served staying at Triple-A for the full season. He hit .250/.298/.416 but showed enough pop (10 homers) to give him the inside track on the second base job as spring opens. Considering the others options are non-roster invitee Luis Rodriguez and seeing what the heck former keystoner Jerry Browne is up to nowadays it's probably his job to lose.

2009

Valbuena had a breakout season in 2008. After hitting .239 in 2007 at Double-A with 83 strikeouts in 122 games, Valbuena hit .304 last season with 37 strikeouts and 31 walks, earning a promotion to Triple-A Tacoma, where he hit .302 with 32 strikeouts and 28 walks. Combined, he had 34 extra-base hits. He then impressed with his defense in a September call-up to Seattle. He was traded to the Indians in the three-way deal that sent J.J. Putz to the Mets. Valbuena needs more seasoning and needs to develop more power, but he might get a shot at second base with the Tribe, allowing Asdrubal Cabrera to play short and Jhonny Peralta to play third.