New York Mets: Remember Jordany Valdespin? Well, he’s back!

Jordany Valdespin, a former member of the New York Mets, has always been the subject of lots of media attention. What is he up to now?

Jordany Valdespin was a controversial player during his time with the New York Mets. The utility man had a world of natural talent but lacked the maturity to play baseball at the sport’s highest level.

Jordany Valdespin made numerous headlines throughout his time in orange and blue, but not for his play. Valdespin caused waves in the Mets’ clubhouse following a showboating incident, was the subject of a vulgar tirade toward former manager, Terry Collins, and even made headlines for being the center of a cupless incident dubbed “numbnuts”. Valdespin’s time with the Mets came to its inevitable end following 2013, as the youngster sat out most of the second half of the season while serving his suspension for his involvement in baseball’s Biogenesis scandal.

After a two year stint with the Miami Marlins, Valdespin spent 2016 with the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate. The lefty has not appeared in Major League Baseball since. So why is he making headlines?

That’s right, Jordany Valdespin is back within a Major League organization.

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The former Met has had a busy year. As tweeted by Antonio Puesan, after a successful season with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, Valdespin was named Baseball America’s Independent League Player of the Year. As a member of the Ducks, Valdespin hit .338 with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs.

The lefty then took his hot bat down to the Dominican Winter League, where he won the league’s MVP award as a member of the Toros Del Este. Over 46 games, Valdespin hit .349 with 2 home runs and 20 RBIs.

His performances must have impressed the Minnesota Twins. Earlier this week, the club snagged Valdespin on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

Will Jordany Valdespin live up to the potential that he showed while with the New York Mets? Only time will tell, but we are left to hope that his maturity has improved with his play.