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FuzzyRussianHat · 06-16-2025, 05:59 AM

The Central American Baseball Association had an impressive four player Hall of Fame class for 2031 with each player making it on their first ballot. SP Luis Ruiz and RF Max Valentin were both nearly unanimous at 99.7% and 98.2%, respectively. First basemen Guillermo Velasquez and Miguel Gonzales both received 71.2%, just crossing the 66% requirement. No other players were above 50% with the best returner being SP Montell Donald with 49.4% on his ninth try.

Dropped after ten failed ballots was 3B Nesto Rangel, who played 15 seasons between four teams. He won one Silver Slugger and was 2001 Rookie of the Year, finishing with 2142 games, 2453 hits, 1066 runs, 408 doubles, 358 home runs, 1180 RBI, .314/.346/.519 slash, 142 wRC+, and 77.2 WAR. Rangel also won championships with Havana in 2009 and Torreon in 2013. However, he had no black ink and Hall of Pretty Good tallies, peaking at 39.1% in 2024 and ending with only 7.7%.

Luis Ruiz – Starting Pitcher – Juarez Jesters – 99.7% First Ballot

Luis Ruiz was a 6’0’’, 195 pound right-handed pitcher from Siguatepeque, Honduras; a city with around 79,000 inhabitants halfway between the country’s two largest cities. Ruiz was best known for having excellent movement on his pitches, leading to an extreme groundball tendency. His stuff and control both graded as above average to good, but he wasn’t overpowering like many top aces. Ruiz’s fastball peaked in the 94-96 mph range and was mixed in with a slider, curveball, and changeup.

Ruiz had solid stamina and his pitch-to-contact style often let him go deep into games. He had a fantastic pickoff move and was an excellent defensive pitcher, winning Gold Gloves from 2016-18. Ruiz’s durability was also fantastic, tossing 240+ innings in all but two seasons from 2010-24.

Additionally, Ruiz was a starter quality hitter and probably could’ve been a two-way player if given the chance. He never got to start in the field, but he often was used as a pinch hitter. Unlike most pitchers, Ruiz rarely was the worst hitter in the lineup, posting a career .820 OPS and 124 wRC+. He had a fairly well-rounded bat and was a very smart baserunner, although his speed was average at best.

In May 2005, a teenaged Ruiz signed a developmental deal with Juarez and would spend his entire pro career in Mexico. Still, he did return home to Honduras regularly for the World Baseball Championship after his debut. From 2011-25, Ruiz had a 3.14 ERA over 157.2 innings, 9-10 record, 169 strikeouts, 53 walks, and 2.5 WAR. After just over five years in the Jesters academy, Ruiz’s CABA debut came in 2010 at age 22.

Ruiz had a solid rookie season with a 3.01 ERA over 182.1, earning a full-time rotation spot for the following 14 years. He led the ML in innings pitched in 2011, but had his career worst ERA of 4.19. Ruiz improved from there, but was generally rated as a good but not amazing starter in his first few seasons. The pitching depth helped Juarez establish one of the greatest dynasty runs in CABA history during Ruiz’s tenure.

The Jesters had a wild card in 2011, then won the Mexican League pennant in 2012. They fell to Santo Domingo in the CABA Championship, but Ruiz had a solid postseason with a 2.84 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 31.2 innings. He struggled to a 5.28 ERA over 30.2 innings in the Baseball Grand Championship as Juarez finished 9-10. The Jesters missed the playoffs at 80-82 in 2013, making some observers predict they’d be a flash in the pan. Those observers couldn’t have been more wrong, as Juarez would post a 13-year postseason streak starting in 2014.

After the 2013 season, the Jesters gave Ruiz a five-year, $46,900,000 extension. In 2014, Juarez fell to Torreon in the MLCS. The Jesters then won three straight pennants, defeating Leon in both 2015 and 2016 and topping Guadalajara in 2017. During this time, Ruiz went from a good starter to a legitimate ace. He took third in 2015’s Pitcher of the Year voting and won a Silver Slugger. That year had a career best 25-2 record along with a 2.91 ERA.

Juarez lost to Haiti in the 2015 CABA Championship with Ruiz struggling in the playoff run to a 6.07 ERA in 29.2 innings. He again was iffy in the BGC with a 5.19 ERA in 26 innings as the Jesters again were 9-10. Ruiz led in innings pitched the next two years and had career highs in innings (269) and strikeouts (291) in 2016. He won his lone Pitcher of the Year in 2017 with a league and career best 7.6 WAR.

Ruiz fared better in the playoffs with a 2.61 ERA over 31 innings in 2016 and 2.82 ERA in 38.1 innings in 2017. Juarez repeated as CABA champ, defeating Havana in the 2016 finale and Salvador in 2017. Ruiz was merely okay in the 2016 BGC with a 4.45 ERA in 30.1 innings. The Jesters finished 11-8 in 2016 in a five-way tie for fifth.

In 2017, Juarez was the first CABA team to claim Baseball Grand Champion honors. They finished in a three-way tie at 12-7, but had head-to-head victories over both Concepcion and Bamako. Ruiz had a better effort this time with a 3.26 ERA over 30.1 innings and 36 strikeouts. The following spring, the Jesters locked him up to another six years at $79,200,000.

Ruiz was third in 2018 and 2022’s Pitcher of the Year voting, leading in wins both years as well as in 2020. He led thrice in his career in shutouts, but never had a no-hitter. Juarez had the #1 seed in both 2018 and 2019, but was ousted in the first round and MLCS, respectively. The Jesters returned to the throne in 2020 at 112-50, their best record of the streak. Juarez defeated Trinidad to secure their third CABA Championship in five years. This was Ruiz’s finest playoff run with a 2.76 ERA over 42.1 innings with 36 Ks. He also had a 2.94 ERA in 33.2 innings with 38 Ks in that year’s BGC, although the Jesters finished 9-10.

Juarez had a MLCS loss in 2021 to Tijuana, then won another Mexican League title in 2022 over Ecatepec. They were denied by Guatemala in the CABA Championship, but finished higher in the BGC at 11-8 in a five-way tie for fourth. Juarez had MLCS losses again in 2023 and 2024 as Ruiz continued to provide his standard quality production. Now 36-years old, Ruiz signed a three-year, $50,400,000 extension to stay with the Jesters in January 2024.

2025 was the last gasp of the great dynasty run, winning their fourth CABA Championship in a decade with a finals upset over 115-win Guatemala. Ruiz’s already lower velocity dropped significantly that year and he was reduced to a part-time role. He only tossed 75.2 innings in the regular season and didn’t see any postseason use. Still, he became one of the few in CABA history with four championship rings. Ruiz retired that winter at age 38 and immediately saw his #24 uniform retired.

Ruiz’s career BGC stats were a mixed bag with a 7-13 record, 4.01 ERA, 182 innings, 216 strikeouts, 54 walks, and 4.7 WAR. As a function of longevity, Ruiz ranks 4^th in innings and 6^th in strikeouts in event history. He unfortunately is tied for first in losses, but is 7^th in pitching WAR.

His playoff stats in CABA weren’t incredible either, but were more positive overall. He tossed 293.1 innings over 43 games with a 17-17 record, 3.47 ERA, 257 strikeouts, 53 walks, 22 quality starts, 10 complete games, 3 shutouts, 112 ERA+, 84 FIP-, and 6.4 WAR. As of 2037, Ruiz is the CABA playoff leader in starts (38), and innings (293), but also in losses, hits allowed (293), and walks (53). He’s tied for 3^rd in wins and ranks 3^rd in strikeouts and 4^th in pitching WAR.

For his regular season career, Ruiz had a 268-125 record, 3.20 ERA, 3788.2 innings, 3405 strikeouts, 696 walks, 297/458 quality starts, 165 complete games, 29 shutouts, 121 ERA+, 83 FIP-, and 81.5 WAR. As of 2037, Ruiz ranks 8^th in wins, 20^th in innings, 15^th in complete games, 34^th in shutouts, 41^st in strikeouts, and 34^th in pitching WAR. His consistency and style was a great fit with Juarez’s great defense, ranking 15^th among qualifiers in winning percentage at .682.

At the plate, Ruiz had 861 games and 458 starts with 481 hits, 262 runs, 95 doubles, 18 triples, 74 home runs, 247 RBI, 118 walks, 23 stolen bases, .282/.332/.488 slash, 124 wRC+, and 19.0 WAR. That extra skillset certainly enhanced his value for a combined 100.5 WAR for his career.

Ruiz lacked the overwhelming dominance needed to be considered a top five level pitcher and he misses many of the top 10 lists. However, he was certainly a consistent and indispensible part of a 16-year run for Juarez that saw four CABA titles, seven Mexican League pennants, 12 MCLS appearances, and 15 playoff trips. At a near unanimous 99.7%, Ruiz co-headlined a strong four-player 2031 Hall of Fame class for the Central American Baseball Association.

Max Valentin – Right Field – Leon Lions – 98.2% First Ballot

Max Valentin was a 6’2’’, 195 pound left-handed right fielder from Leon, Mexico. Valentin was known for excellent home run power along with rock solid contact skills. Despite his power, he was subpar at drawing walks with a middling strikeout rate. Valentin made his hits count though, smacking 40+ home runs in ten seasons and 50+ in six.

Valentin’s gap power was respectable with 29 doubles and 3 triples along with his 51 homers per 162 games. He was an extremely intelligent baserunner, but he was still quite limited by terrible speed. Valentin was an impressive bat against either side, but did have better numbers facing right-handed pitching (1.012 OPS, 182 wRC+) compared to facing lefties (.903 OPS, 155 wRC+).

He spent his entire career in the Mexican League, which meant the designated hitter wasn’t an option. Valentin was an abysmal fielder at any spot, but made ¾ of his starts in right field. The rest of his time was either in left or at first base. Valentin was one of baseball’s true gentlemen, a team captain praised for his work ethic, leadership, and intelligence. Back and knee troubles did limit him especially later in his career, but Valentin still gritted out a 17-year run.

Valentin grew up in Leon as a Lions fan and the franchise was delighted for the chance at a possible hometown superstar as he rose through the amateur ranks. Leon picked him second overall in the 2006 CABA Draft, although Valentin was still considered a bit raw then. He was a late bloomer, only playing 59 games in his first three years. Valentin became a starter for the first time in 2010 at 26, a very late age to reach the lineup for the first time especially for a highly rated prospect.

It was worth the wait as Valentin had 41 homers, 1.072 OPS, and 6.8 WAR in 124 games. Unfortunately, his season ended in late August to a fractured ankle, but he still earned his first Silver Slugger. Leon ended a 17-year playoff drought, having been stuck in the middle tier mostly in-between. Valentin healed up nice and led the Mexican League in 2011 with 53 home runs, winning another Silver Slugger. It would be his second of seven seasons with an OPS above one.

Valentin was on an even better pace in 2012, but lost two months between an intercostal strain and strained PCL. In 2013, the Lions started a four-year run of division titles as Valentin stayed mostly healthy. That year, he led in homers (57), total bases (382), slugging (.728), OPS (1.106), and wRC+ (211), earning MVP and his third Silver Slugger. The Lions took the top seed at 101-61, but suffered an upset first round defeat to Monterrey.

Leon lost in the first round in 2014, then had MLCS defeats to the fledgling Juarez dynasty in 2015-16. In March 2015, Leon gave Valentin a six-year, $79,200,000 extension. Valentin won his second MVP in 2016 with league bests in homers (66), RBI (135), slugging (.748), OPS (1.124), and wRC+ (206). This would be his career peak for homers, runs (121), total bases (415), and WAR (8.3).

Valentin won another Slugger in 2017, although Leon fell to 82-80. The Lions bounced back in 2018 and had a surprise pennant run, defeating Guyana in the CABA Championship for their first title since 1986. Overall, Valentin’s career playoff numbers were underwhelming over 40 total starts with 0.6 WAR, 102 wRC+, .748 OPS, 39 hits, 18 runs, 4 doubles, 8 home runs, and 16 RBI.

He did have a good run in the 2018 Baseball Grand Championship over 19 starts with 17 hits, 9 home runs, 11 runs, 3 doubles, 12 RBI, .849 OPS, and 0.8 WAR. Leon was one of four teams tied for third at 11-8, officially placing fifth after the tiebreakers were sorted. Valentin also played for Mexico in the World Baseball Championship from 2012-22 with 92 games, 73 hits, 38 runs, 18 doubles, 23 home runs, 53 RBI, .251/.310/.570 slash, and 3.0 WAR.

Valentin made his presence most known in Mexico’s 2015 run, which saw a runner-up finish in a 4-3 World Championship classic against the Philippines. He led all players with 10 home runs, adding 24 hits, 14 runs, 5 doubles, 18 RBI, 1.150 OPS, and 1.6 WAR. Valentin was second in Tournament MVP honors for his efforts. Although he was a bench player in 2018, Valentin was there for a third place finish by the Mexicans.

From 2019 onward, Valentin missed a month or more each season to various injuries. In 2020, he was on a wild pace at age 36 with 57 homers, 111 RBI, 223 wRC+, and 8.0 WAR over 125 games. He had career bests in the triple slash (.349/.391/.777) and OPS (1.168), taking third in MVP voting. After missing the playoffs in 2019, Leon had one last burst at 105-57 in a loaded 2020 playoff field. They ultimately had a first round exit to 103-win Hermosillo. The Lions would spend the next four years below .500 before returning to success in 2025.

Valentin’s impressive pace that year led to a three-year, $41,600,000 extension that winter with the Lions. He remained good the next two years despite his injury woes. Valentin then started to lose his power in addition to still having durability issues in his final years. He and his hometown team agreed to part ways after the 2024 season, sending Valentin to free agency at age 41.

He wanted to still play, but most teams weren’t looking for aged sluggers even if they were great clubhouse guys. Valentin did find a home with Toluca, who joined the Mexican League as an expansion team for 2025. In one year for the Tortugas, Valentin played 109 games with 16 home runs, .835 OPS, 147 wRC+, and 1.9 WAR. He retired that winter at age 41 and his hometown Leon immediately brought him in to retire his #1 uniform.

Valentin played 2136 games with 2426 hits, 1349 runs, 376 doubles, 45 triples, 674 home runs, 1586 RBI, 436 walks, 1632 strikeouts, .313/.350/.634 slash, 175 wRC+, and 80.4 WAR. As of 2037, Valentin ranks 14^th in home runs and 31^st in RBI despite missing as many games as he did to injuries. He’s also 81^st in hits, 58^th in runs, 42^nd in total bases (4914), and 79^th in WAR among position players.

Against all batters with 3000+ plate appearances, Valentin is 18^th in slugging percentage and his .984 OPS is 29^th. He was one of the premiere power guys of his era and helped his hometown Leon return to contention, setting the stage for their late 2020s and early 2030s success. The injuries and terrible defense keep him probably just out of the inner circle, but Valentin’s Hall of Fame status wasn’t at all in doubt. With 98.2%, he co-headlined a four-player 2031 class for the Central American Baseball Association.

06-16-2025, 05:59 AM	#2279
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,882	2031 CABA Hall of Fame (Part 1) The Central American Baseball Association had an impressive four player Hall of Fame class for 2031 with each player making it on their first ballot. SP Luis Ruiz and RF Max Valentin were both nearly unanimous at 99.7% and 98.2%, respectively. First basemen Guillermo Velasquez and Miguel Gonzales both received 71.2%, just crossing the 66% requirement. No other players were above 50% with the best returner being SP Montell Donald with 49.4% on his ninth try. Dropped after ten failed ballots was 3B Nesto Rangel, who played 15 seasons between four teams. He won one Silver Slugger and was 2001 Rookie of the Year, finishing with 2142 games, 2453 hits, 1066 runs, 408 doubles, 358 home runs, 1180 RBI, .314/.346/.519 slash, 142 wRC+, and 77.2 WAR. Rangel also won championships with Havana in 2009 and Torreon in 2013. However, he had no black ink and Hall of Pretty Good tallies, peaking at 39.1% in 2024 and ending with only 7.7%. Luis Ruiz – Starting Pitcher – Juarez Jesters – 99.7% First Ballot Luis Ruiz was a 6’0’’, 195 pound right-handed pitcher from Siguatepeque, Honduras; a city with around 79,000 inhabitants halfway between the country’s two largest cities. Ruiz was best known for having excellent movement on his pitches, leading to an extreme groundball tendency. His stuff and control both graded as above average to good, but he wasn’t overpowering like many top aces. Ruiz’s fastball peaked in the 94-96 mph range and was mixed in with a slider, curveball, and changeup. Ruiz had solid stamina and his pitch-to-contact style often let him go deep into games. He had a fantastic pickoff move and was an excellent defensive pitcher, winning Gold Gloves from 2016-18. Ruiz’s durability was also fantastic, tossing 240+ innings in all but two seasons from 2010-24. Additionally, Ruiz was a starter quality hitter and probably could’ve been a two-way player if given the chance. He never got to start in the field, but he often was used as a pinch hitter. Unlike most pitchers, Ruiz rarely was the worst hitter in the lineup, posting a career .820 OPS and 124 wRC+. He had a fairly well-rounded bat and was a very smart baserunner, although his speed was average at best. In May 2005, a teenaged Ruiz signed a developmental deal with Juarez and would spend his entire pro career in Mexico. Still, he did return home to Honduras regularly for the World Baseball Championship after his debut. From 2011-25, Ruiz had a 3.14 ERA over 157.2 innings, 9-10 record, 169 strikeouts, 53 walks, and 2.5 WAR. After just over five years in the Jesters academy, Ruiz’s CABA debut came in 2010 at age 22. Ruiz had a solid rookie season with a 3.01 ERA over 182.1, earning a full-time rotation spot for the following 14 years. He led the ML in innings pitched in 2011, but had his career worst ERA of 4.19. Ruiz improved from there, but was generally rated as a good but not amazing starter in his first few seasons. The pitching depth helped Juarez establish one of the greatest dynasty runs in CABA history during Ruiz’s tenure. The Jesters had a wild card in 2011, then won the Mexican League pennant in 2012. They fell to Santo Domingo in the CABA Championship, but Ruiz had a solid postseason with a 2.84 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 31.2 innings. He struggled to a 5.28 ERA over 30.2 innings in the Baseball Grand Championship as Juarez finished 9-10. The Jesters missed the playoffs at 80-82 in 2013, making some observers predict they’d be a flash in the pan. Those observers couldn’t have been more wrong, as Juarez would post a 13-year postseason streak starting in 2014. After the 2013 season, the Jesters gave Ruiz a five-year, $46,900,000 extension. In 2014, Juarez fell to Torreon in the MLCS. The Jesters then won three straight pennants, defeating Leon in both 2015 and 2016 and topping Guadalajara in 2017. During this time, Ruiz went from a good starter to a legitimate ace. He took third in 2015’s Pitcher of the Year voting and won a Silver Slugger. That year had a career best 25-2 record along with a 2.91 ERA. Juarez lost to Haiti in the 2015 CABA Championship with Ruiz struggling in the playoff run to a 6.07 ERA in 29.2 innings. He again was iffy in the BGC with a 5.19 ERA in 26 innings as the Jesters again were 9-10. Ruiz led in innings pitched the next two years and had career highs in innings (269) and strikeouts (291) in 2016. He won his lone Pitcher of the Year in 2017 with a league and career best 7.6 WAR. Ruiz fared better in the playoffs with a 2.61 ERA over 31 innings in 2016 and 2.82 ERA in 38.1 innings in 2017. Juarez repeated as CABA champ, defeating Havana in the 2016 finale and Salvador in 2017. Ruiz was merely okay in the 2016 BGC with a 4.45 ERA in 30.1 innings. The Jesters finished 11-8 in 2016 in a five-way tie for fifth. In 2017, Juarez was the first CABA team to claim Baseball Grand Champion honors. They finished in a three-way tie at 12-7, but had head-to-head victories over both Concepcion and Bamako. Ruiz had a better effort this time with a 3.26 ERA over 30.1 innings and 36 strikeouts. The following spring, the Jesters locked him up to another six years at $79,200,000. Ruiz was third in 2018 and 2022’s Pitcher of the Year voting, leading in wins both years as well as in 2020. He led thrice in his career in shutouts, but never had a no-hitter. Juarez had the #1 seed in both 2018 and 2019, but was ousted in the first round and MLCS, respectively. The Jesters returned to the throne in 2020 at 112-50, their best record of the streak. Juarez defeated Trinidad to secure their third CABA Championship in five years. This was Ruiz’s finest playoff run with a 2.76 ERA over 42.1 innings with 36 Ks. He also had a 2.94 ERA in 33.2 innings with 38 Ks in that year’s BGC, although the Jesters finished 9-10. Juarez had a MLCS loss in 2021 to Tijuana, then won another Mexican League title in 2022 over Ecatepec. They were denied by Guatemala in the CABA Championship, but finished higher in the BGC at 11-8 in a five-way tie for fourth. Juarez had MLCS losses again in 2023 and 2024 as Ruiz continued to provide his standard quality production. Now 36-years old, Ruiz signed a three-year, $50,400,000 extension to stay with the Jesters in January 2024. 2025 was the last gasp of the great dynasty run, winning their fourth CABA Championship in a decade with a finals upset over 115-win Guatemala. Ruiz’s already lower velocity dropped significantly that year and he was reduced to a part-time role. He only tossed 75.2 innings in the regular season and didn’t see any postseason use. Still, he became one of the few in CABA history with four championship rings. Ruiz retired that winter at age 38 and immediately saw his #24 uniform retired. Ruiz’s career BGC stats were a mixed bag with a 7-13 record, 4.01 ERA, 182 innings, 216 strikeouts, 54 walks, and 4.7 WAR. As a function of longevity, Ruiz ranks 4^th in innings and 6^th in strikeouts in event history. He unfortunately is tied for first in losses, but is 7^th in pitching WAR. His playoff stats in CABA weren’t incredible either, but were more positive overall. He tossed 293.1 innings over 43 games with a 17-17 record, 3.47 ERA, 257 strikeouts, 53 walks, 22 quality starts, 10 complete games, 3 shutouts, 112 ERA+, 84 FIP-, and 6.4 WAR. As of 2037, Ruiz is the CABA playoff leader in starts (38), and innings (293), but also in losses, hits allowed (293), and walks (53). He’s tied for 3^rd in wins and ranks 3^rd in strikeouts and 4^th in pitching WAR. For his regular season career, Ruiz had a 268-125 record, 3.20 ERA, 3788.2 innings, 3405 strikeouts, 696 walks, 297/458 quality starts, 165 complete games, 29 shutouts, 121 ERA+, 83 FIP-, and 81.5 WAR. As of 2037, Ruiz ranks 8^th in wins, 20^th in innings, 15^th in complete games, 34^th in shutouts, 41^st in strikeouts, and 34^th in pitching WAR. His consistency and style was a great fit with Juarez’s great defense, ranking 15^th among qualifiers in winning percentage at .682. At the plate, Ruiz had 861 games and 458 starts with 481 hits, 262 runs, 95 doubles, 18 triples, 74 home runs, 247 RBI, 118 walks, 23 stolen bases, .282/.332/.488 slash, 124 wRC+, and 19.0 WAR. That extra skillset certainly enhanced his value for a combined 100.5 WAR for his career. Ruiz lacked the overwhelming dominance needed to be considered a top five level pitcher and he misses many of the top 10 lists. However, he was certainly a consistent and indispensible part of a 16-year run for Juarez that saw four CABA titles, seven Mexican League pennants, 12 MCLS appearances, and 15 playoff trips. At a near unanimous 99.7%, Ruiz co-headlined a strong four-player 2031 Hall of Fame class for the Central American Baseball Association. Max Valentin – Right Field – Leon Lions – 98.2% First Ballot Max Valentin was a 6’2’’, 195 pound left-handed right fielder from Leon, Mexico. Valentin was known for excellent home run power along with rock solid contact skills. Despite his power, he was subpar at drawing walks with a middling strikeout rate. Valentin made his hits count though, smacking 40+ home runs in ten seasons and 50+ in six. Valentin’s gap power was respectable with 29 doubles and 3 triples along with his 51 homers per 162 games. He was an extremely intelligent baserunner, but he was still quite limited by terrible speed. Valentin was an impressive bat against either side, but did have better numbers facing right-handed pitching (1.012 OPS, 182 wRC+) compared to facing lefties (.903 OPS, 155 wRC+). He spent his entire career in the Mexican League, which meant the designated hitter wasn’t an option. Valentin was an abysmal fielder at any spot, but made ¾ of his starts in right field. The rest of his time was either in left or at first base. Valentin was one of baseball’s true gentlemen, a team captain praised for his work ethic, leadership, and intelligence. Back and knee troubles did limit him especially later in his career, but Valentin still gritted out a 17-year run. Valentin grew up in Leon as a Lions fan and the franchise was delighted for the chance at a possible hometown superstar as he rose through the amateur ranks. Leon picked him second overall in the 2006 CABA Draft, although Valentin was still considered a bit raw then. He was a late bloomer, only playing 59 games in his first three years. Valentin became a starter for the first time in 2010 at 26, a very late age to reach the lineup for the first time especially for a highly rated prospect. It was worth the wait as Valentin had 41 homers, 1.072 OPS, and 6.8 WAR in 124 games. Unfortunately, his season ended in late August to a fractured ankle, but he still earned his first Silver Slugger. Leon ended a 17-year playoff drought, having been stuck in the middle tier mostly in-between. Valentin healed up nice and led the Mexican League in 2011 with 53 home runs, winning another Silver Slugger. It would be his second of seven seasons with an OPS above one. Valentin was on an even better pace in 2012, but lost two months between an intercostal strain and strained PCL. In 2013, the Lions started a four-year run of division titles as Valentin stayed mostly healthy. That year, he led in homers (57), total bases (382), slugging (.728), OPS (1.106), and wRC+ (211), earning MVP and his third Silver Slugger. The Lions took the top seed at 101-61, but suffered an upset first round defeat to Monterrey. Leon lost in the first round in 2014, then had MLCS defeats to the fledgling Juarez dynasty in 2015-16. In March 2015, Leon gave Valentin a six-year, $79,200,000 extension. Valentin won his second MVP in 2016 with league bests in homers (66), RBI (135), slugging (.748), OPS (1.124), and wRC+ (206). This would be his career peak for homers, runs (121), total bases (415), and WAR (8.3). Valentin won another Slugger in 2017, although Leon fell to 82-80. The Lions bounced back in 2018 and had a surprise pennant run, defeating Guyana in the CABA Championship for their first title since 1986. Overall, Valentin’s career playoff numbers were underwhelming over 40 total starts with 0.6 WAR, 102 wRC+, .748 OPS, 39 hits, 18 runs, 4 doubles, 8 home runs, and 16 RBI. He did have a good run in the 2018 Baseball Grand Championship over 19 starts with 17 hits, 9 home runs, 11 runs, 3 doubles, 12 RBI, .849 OPS, and 0.8 WAR. Leon was one of four teams tied for third at 11-8, officially placing fifth after the tiebreakers were sorted. Valentin also played for Mexico in the World Baseball Championship from 2012-22 with 92 games, 73 hits, 38 runs, 18 doubles, 23 home runs, 53 RBI, .251/.310/.570 slash, and 3.0 WAR. Valentin made his presence most known in Mexico’s 2015 run, which saw a runner-up finish in a 4-3 World Championship classic against the Philippines. He led all players with 10 home runs, adding 24 hits, 14 runs, 5 doubles, 18 RBI, 1.150 OPS, and 1.6 WAR. Valentin was second in Tournament MVP honors for his efforts. Although he was a bench player in 2018, Valentin was there for a third place finish by the Mexicans. From 2019 onward, Valentin missed a month or more each season to various injuries. In 2020, he was on a wild pace at age 36 with 57 homers, 111 RBI, 223 wRC+, and 8.0 WAR over 125 games. He had career bests in the triple slash (.349/.391/.777) and OPS (1.168), taking third in MVP voting. After missing the playoffs in 2019, Leon had one last burst at 105-57 in a loaded 2020 playoff field. They ultimately had a first round exit to 103-win Hermosillo. The Lions would spend the next four years below .500 before returning to success in 2025. Valentin’s impressive pace that year led to a three-year, $41,600,000 extension that winter with the Lions. He remained good the next two years despite his injury woes. Valentin then started to lose his power in addition to still having durability issues in his final years. He and his hometown team agreed to part ways after the 2024 season, sending Valentin to free agency at age 41. He wanted to still play, but most teams weren’t looking for aged sluggers even if they were great clubhouse guys. Valentin did find a home with Toluca, who joined the Mexican League as an expansion team for 2025. In one year for the Tortugas, Valentin played 109 games with 16 home runs, .835 OPS, 147 wRC+, and 1.9 WAR. He retired that winter at age 41 and his hometown Leon immediately brought him in to retire his #1 uniform. Valentin played 2136 games with 2426 hits, 1349 runs, 376 doubles, 45 triples, 674 home runs, 1586 RBI, 436 walks, 1632 strikeouts, .313/.350/.634 slash, 175 wRC+, and 80.4 WAR. As of 2037, Valentin ranks 14^th in home runs and 31^st in RBI despite missing as many games as he did to injuries. He’s also 81^st in hits, 58^th in runs, 42^nd in total bases (4914), and 79^th in WAR among position players. Against all batters with 3000+ plate appearances, Valentin is 18^th in slugging percentage and his .984 OPS is 29^th. He was one of the premiere power guys of his era and helped his hometown Leon return to contention, setting the stage for their late 2020s and early 2030s success. The injuries and terrible defense keep him probably just out of the inner circle, but Valentin’s Hall of Fame status wasn’t at all in doubt. With 98.2%, he co-headlined a four-player 2031 class for the Central American Baseball Association. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)