Valaika carries on a long tradition of Valaika family baseball at the collegiate and professional levels. 

His three brothers have all played in major league affiliated baseball in some capacity and Valaika's High School (Hart HS) has had a member of the family at shortstop dating back to 2000. 

Hart HS will have to place a new athlete at shortstop in 2015 as Valaika intends to play for UCLA after his summer with the AppleSox. 

He hit .400 during his senior year and had three home runs, a triple and 12 doubles to go alongside 13 RBI's.

His brother Pat played for the AppleSox in 2011.

Quotable:  “It is always fun to have players with family ties with guys who have previously been here. Much like the rest of his family he is a good all around player, but is incredibly impressive defensively with his glove.” -Ed Knaggs (AppleSox Head Coach)