Valdez was born in Bani, of the Dominican Republic and was signed as a non-drafted free agent at the age of 17 by the San Diego Padres.  Valdez spent nine seasons in the Padres organization and hit .252 with 56 home runs and 345 RBI’s with 137 stolen bases.  He played both second base and shortstop for the Padres and made it as high as Double-A San Antonio.  While with the Missions Valdez hit .238 over 253 games with 22 home runs and 95 RBI’s.  During the 2014 season the Padres released Valdez and shortly after he was signed by the Chicago Cubs organization and played with their Double-A affiliate in Tennessee for 58 games and posted a .225 batting average with 3 home runs and 20 RBI’s.  Valdez started the 2015 season with the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League, while with their club he hit .273  in 19 games with 3 home runs, 6 RBI’s, and 5 stolen bases.