Luis Valbuena


Date of Birth: 11/30/1985
Birthplace: Sucre, Venezuela

Luis Valbuena was first signed by the Seattle Mariners in August, 2002. He played in their minor league system from 2005 through 2007. He played in just 18 games with the Mariners in 2008. The following December, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians.

Valbuena's first year with the Indians, 2009, was his best season. That year, he had career highs in hits with 92, doubles with 25, and a .250 batting average in 103 games. In 2010, he played in 91 games with Cleveland and in 2011, he played in just 17 games with them.

In April, 2012, the Chicago Cubs claimed Valbuena off waivers. That season he played in 90 games with the Cubs as a third baseman. In 2013, he batted .218 with 72 hits, 15 doubles, and a career high 12 home runs in 108 games. He finished the 2014 season with 119 hits, 33 doubles, 16 home runs, 51 RBIs, and a .249 batting average.

Valbuena was traded to the Houston Astros on January 19, 2015. He finished the 2015 season with 97 hits, 18 doubles, 25 home runs, 56 RBIs, and a .224 batting average in 132 games. As a third baseman in 99 games, he made 168 assists, 20 double plays, 54 putouts, and 6 errors. In the postseason, he batted .176 with 3 hits, including a home run, and 2 RBIs in 17 at-bats in 6 games.

Valbuena played in 90 games with the Astros in 2016. He finished the season with 76 hits, 17 doubles, 13 home runs, 40 RBIs, and a .260 batting average. Defensively, as the Astros third baseman in 81 games, he made 143 assists, 54 putouts, and 6 errors.

Valbuena became a free agent on November 3, 2016. He signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels on January 24, 2017. He finished the 2017 season with 69 hits, 15 doubles, 22 home runs, 65 RBIs, 106 strikeouts to 48 walks, and a .199 batting average in 117 games. Defensively, he played 48 games at first base and 59 games at third base.

The Angels released Valbuena on August 7, 2018.

Valbuena was killed in a car crash on December 7, 2018.

Career batting statistics for Valbuena through 2017 include:

  • 915 games played
  • 657 hits
  • 160 doubles
  • 105 home runs
  • 334 RBIs
  • 688 strikeouts to 355 walks
  • .228 batting average

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Luis Valbuena
ESPN - Luis Valbuena