Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 30 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45

Signed for $100,000 out of Mexico in July 2017, it’s been a bumpy near-seven years in pro ball for Valenzuela with the switch-hitting catcher taking steps forward and backward in equal measure. His breakout came in 2021 with an .833 OPS at Single-A Lake Elsinore, but that number dropped sharply to .682 over 99 games at High-A Fort Wayne a year later. He was Rule 5-eligible after both seasons and went unprotected and unpicked but looked stronger out of the gate in 2023, forcing his way out of the Midwest League with a .279/.372/.456 line in 39 games. Valenzuela went just 17-for-94 (.181) with 29 strikeouts in 27 games for Double-A San Antonio after a promotion and didn’t play after Aug. 8 due to surgery on his right MCL.

The switch-hitting backstop has always been adept at taking his walks, including during those Texas League struggles when his BB rate was up to 12 percent. His splits were pretty even from both sides, though he got significantly less time against lefties, and he has a swing geared to get the ball off the ground. Without much bat speed, however, the result is more catchable fly balls than laced homers, and that, along with Valenzuela’s below-average speed, make him a low BABIP candidate, thus putting more weight on his OBP to carry his slash line.

With one knee down defensively, Valenzuela sets up a nice target, receives well and routinely draws strong reviews for his work with pitching staffs. His above-average arm strength remains a consideration for opponents thinking of going for it on the basepaths. Despite his long road, Valenzuela is still only 23 entering the season and has the potential to be a No. 2 backstop if the bat allows it. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 30 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

The Padres signed Valenzuela for $100,000 out of Mexico on the opening day of the 2017-18 international window. After solid performances at the Complex Leagues in his first two seasons and instructional play in 2020, he broke out at Single-A Lake Elsinore in 2021, hitting .307/.389/.444 over 82 games. However, he struggled mightily in his second campaign with a full-season affiliate a year later, posting just a .209/.334/.348 line and 96 wRC+ in 99 games with High-A Fort Wayne. The Padres did not protect him from the Rule 5 Draft with a 40-man spot in 2021 and 2022, and he wasn’t a threat to be taken either year because of the distance from the Majors.

San Diego officials have praised the switch-hitting backstop for the way he’s built himself into shape heading into 2023, thus putting himself in a better position to succeed from a physically demanding position. His best offensive skill has always been his ability to take a walk, and his 15.3 percent BB rate ranked fifth among Midwest League qualifiers last season. However, his quality of contact -- driven by a lack of bat speed and a flat bat path -- was tough to swallow. Case in point: 27 percent of his fly balls didn’t leave the infield. His added strength brought more promising results at High-A Fort Wayne early in 2023, backing up the belief that he could get to just a touch below-average power in time.

Valenzuela’s above-average arm strength -- he threw out 31.9 percent of attempted base stealers last year -- could be even more valuable in this next era of the game. He’s long drawn praise for his ability to work with a pitching staff and has shown the right receiving tendencies to profile as a potential No. 2 catcher. He’ll still only be 22 for the entire 2023 season.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

Signed for $100,000 out of Hermosillo, Mexico, in the 2017-18 international class, Valenzuela has made noticeable strides early in his career. He hit .253/.379/.323 over 54 games in the Dominican Summer League in 2018, fared similarly in Rookie ball in 2019 and, after impressing during instructional camp in 2020, broke out and slashed .299/.393/.429 over two levels of Class A ball in his 2021 full-season debut.

Added strength helped Valenzuela hit seven homers last season (97 games) after he hit just one over the first 96 games of his career. However, the switch-hitter is viewed more as a defense-first catcher and not someone who would be counted upon to contribute much with the bat. Valenzuela sees the ball well, manages the zone and has good timing, but has below-average bat speed and a flat bat path.

Defensively, he is an advanced game caller for his age and projects as an above-average receiver, though there’s still room for growth. Questions remain about his hands and mobility behind the plate, but the tools are there and Valenzuela could develop into a serviceable glove-first backup.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

The Padres have always prided themselves on their organizational catcher depth, but after a flurry of trades late in 2020, it took a hit. Enter Valenzuela, whom team decision-makers believe can help pick up some of the slack from the trades that sent Blake Hunt and Luis Torrens elsewhere. Valenzuela signed out of Hermosillo, Mexico, in the 2018-19 international class and posted a .251/.387/.309 slash line at Rookie ball before an impressive showing at the team’s instructional camp in fall 2020.

Valenzuela is a defense-first catcher who draws high marks for his makeup and leadership qualities. Pitchers love throwing to Valenzuela, who has a knack for pitch-calling and game management and projects as an above-average receiver. At the plate, Valenzuela is a switch-hitter, with a stroke slightly more polished from the left side. He has a solid feel for the strike zone without much power, though the club feels he might develop some gap-to-gap pop as he bulks up.

It seems unlikely Valenzuela would ever be counted on to contribute much offensively at the big league level. But his penchant for reaching base makes him a viable option. Combine that with a strong skill set behind the dish, and Valenzuela just might develop into a capable defense-first backstop.

Awards

TEX Player of the Month

Month	Team
06/2024

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2021

CAL Player of the Week

Week	Team
05/09/2021

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/07/2024	Naranjeros de Hermosillo activated C Brandon Valenzuela from the reserve list.
	10/30/2024	Naranjeros de Hermosillo placed C Brandon Valenzuela on the reserve list.
	10/11/2024	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to Naranjeros de Hermosillo.
	08/06/2024	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to El Paso Chihuahuas from San Antonio Missions.
	03/07/2024	San Diego Padres Prospects activated C Brandon Valenzuela.
	02/28/2024	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to San Diego Padres.
	09/28/2023	San Antonio Missions activated C Brandon Valenzuela from the 7-day injured list.
	08/10/2023	San Antonio Missions placed C Brandon Valenzuela on the 7-day injured list.
	08/10/2023	San Antonio Missions placed C Brandon Valenzuela on the 7-day injured list.
	06/27/2023	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to San Antonio Missions from Fort Wayne TinCaps.
	03/09/2023	C Brandon Valenzuela roster status changed by San Diego Padres.
	03/09/2023	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to San Diego Padres.
	03/19/2022	C Brandon Valenzuela and assigned to San Diego Padres.
	08/28/2021	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to Fort Wayne TinCaps from Lake Elsinore Storm.
	05/04/2021	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to Lake Elsinore Storm from AZL Padres 1.
	01/05/2021	Naranjeros de Hermosillo placed C Brandon Valenzuela on the reserve list.
	01/05/2021	Naranjeros de Hermosillo placed C Brandon Valenzuela on the reserve list.
	12/17/2020	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to Naranjeros de Hermosillo.
	06/18/2019	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to AZL Padres 1 from AZL Padres 2.
	05/07/2019	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to AZL Padres 2 from DSL Padres.
	03/21/2019	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to San Diego Padres Futures.
	09/26/2018	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to San Diego Padres Futures.
	09/26/2018	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to San Diego Padres Futures.
	06/01/2018	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to DSL Padres.
	09/29/2017	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to San Diego Padres Futures.
	09/29/2017	C Brandon Valenzuela assigned to San Diego Padres Futures.
	07/02/2017	San Diego Padres signed free agent C Brandon Valenzuela to a minor league contract.