Pat Valaika, Infield, Atlanta Braves

Date of Birth: 9/9/1992
Birthplace: Valencia, California
College: UCLA

Pat Valaika, infielder for the Atlanta Braves, was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2013. He played in their minor league system from 2013 through 2015.

Valaika played in 13 games with the Rockies in 2016. He had a .263 batting average with 5 hits, including a double and a home run. He also played in 136 games in the minors.

Valaika finished the 2017 season with 47 hits, 11 doubles, 13 home runs, 40 RBIs, 53 strikeouts to 7 walks, and a .258 batting average in 110 games with the Rockies. Defensively, he played 5 games at first base, 8 games at second base, 19 games at third base, 22 games at shortstop, and 5 games in left field. In the Wild Card game, he had a double in his only at-bat.

Valaika played in 68 games with the Rockies in 2018, and he batted .156. In the postseason, he had no hits in one at-bat.

Valaika spent most of the 2019 season in the minors. In 40 games with the Rockies, he had 15 hits and a .190 batting average.

The Baltimore Orioles claimed Valaika off waivers on October 30, 2019. He was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks on January 16, 2020. Later that month, on January 30th, he was again claimed off waivers by the Orioles. He played in 52 games in 2020, and he finished the season with 39 hits, 16 RBIs, 34 strikeouts to 8 walks, and a .277 batting average. Defensively, he played 13 games at first base, 13 gaems at second base, 4 games at third base, 24 games at shortstop, 3 games in left field, and 1 game in right field.

Valaika finished the 2021 season with 52 hits and a .201 batting average in 90 games.

Valaika became a free agent on October 25, 2021. He signed a minor league contract with the Braves on March 18, 2022.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Pat Valaika
MiLB - Pat Valaika