I'm not sure Danny Valencia ever got a fair shake with the Twins. As I write this, he is no longer a Twin actually, traded early this past season to the Boston Red Sox (who have since, traded him now this offseason to the Baltimore Orioles). At the time I sent him a baseball, he was a Twin, and one of my favorites. He was the second player on the current roster I attempted to reach so I was elated to get a response.
Danny Valencia was a 19th round draft choice of the Minnesota Twins in 2006 and spent 4 seasons in their minor league system before getting his chance at big league play in 2010. Third base had been a black hole for the Twins since the departure of Corey Koskie and Valencia's minor league numbers were well above average from the beginning, leaving many Twins fans pining for a call-up. It didn't come as early as some wanted. Valencia's discipline at the plate, and fielding was to blame.
But in 2010 he got his opportunity and in 85 games batted .311 and finished 3rd in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. He followed that up by playing in 154 games in his sophomore season and belting 15 HRs. Many considered the season a bit of a "sophomore slump" however as his batting average dropped to .246 and his plate discipline once again became an issue. 2012 was supposed to be his season to break out of his slump but Trevor Plouffe never really gave Valencia the chance. Valencia struggled early on in the season, Trevor Plouffe took the opportunity and ran with it, hitting 14 HRs in June and July. Valencia was sent to AAA to get in some at-bats but soon after, found himself traded to Boston.
I never felt that Valencia received a fair opportunity from Gardenhire to succeed as a Twin and I don't know why. Some pegged Danny as arrogant, but those opinions were more or less influenced by Gardenhire's spin on game situations in press conferences. Valencia was a competitor and worked hard. He stayed away from the party scene and wanted baseball to be his life. I sent him a baseball after watching a video of him give a clubhouse tour in spring training on MLB Network and he laughed at his empty mailbox.
I hope Danny Boy can find himself some success in the majors again, maybe even this season with Baltimore. I think he has loads of talent. It just hasn't been honed in yet.
Mailed: 4/10/12
Received: 4/26/12 (16 days)
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