In 2017, Pat Valaika earned the nicknames “Patty Barrels” for his 13 home runs and “Pat Valatenight” for his propensity to hit those home runs in clutch situations. In 2018, his role might require him to become worthy of a new moniker: “Baby Shower.”
In southern India, there is a common ceremony known as Valaikaapu, in which a pregnant woman is celebrated and blessed in the final weeks before delivery. As well as providing the mother-to-be with lavish gifts, such as clothing or jewelry, members take part in rituals to “honor and protect the pregnant woman, who is seen as vulnerable to the evil eye, malign spirits and ghosts, and to ensure the birth of a healthy child.”
As the Colorado Rockies seek a berth of their own—the playoffs—Valaika could play an integral role in ensuring a healthy delivery down the stretch, quelling external factors that would see it compromised.
After the departure of Alexi Amarista, Valaika, at least as the depth chart stands now, is the primary backup at every infield position except perhaps first base. The utility man did play 11 innings on first there last season, though, a sign of his versatility but also of the Rockies struggles to man that spot since Todd Helton retired.
If there are any speed bumps with injuries or other complications, Valaika will be the first man out to try to fill the gaps. At shortstop and third base, he stands as the only alternative to Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado, assuming Ryan McMahon solidifies his spot at first. While he is unlikely to mirror the production of either player he steps in for, his 2017 should give the team confidence in his ability to be a stopgap on top of his typical pinch hitter and utility duties.
In his first full season, Valaika put his power on display to earn a spot as a mainstay on the roster. In just shy of 200 plate appearances, he carried an ISO more than .100 points higher than the league average on the strength of his 13 home runs and 11 doubles. Together, those marks meant more than half of his 47 hits went for extra bases.
In the pinch, he was even more productive, clipping a .328 batting average with four home runs and eight doubles in that spot. This, plus the fact that Bud Black found reason enough to trust him at five different defensive positions, made Valaika a bonafide bench weapon. In the clutch moments, often in the latter third of games, his contributions were often critical to delivering a Rockies win in ways that even his impressive stats can’t fully encapsulate.
Still, there are holes in his game—mostly his inability to put the bat on the ball at times. His 27-percent strikeout rate was costly in situations where the ball needed to be put in play and was not helped by a swinging strike percentage six points above league average. However, this is likely a product of producing fly balls at a 50-percent rate in an effort to elevate. He is apt to improve his contact rate as he develops more pitch recognition over the course of his career.
While his success in the primary pinch-hitting role last season is promising, Valaika will need to find a way to reproduce that on days he starts—the occasions where Story, Arenado or D.J. LeMahieu need an off day. In the absence of Amarista or a similar replacement, Valaika will be responsible for more at-bats and more playing time.
His job will be serving as a buffer against malicious injuries and fatigue that would undermine a Rockies playoff run. Sure, getting a crib or an assortment of small shirts isn’t the most important part of having a child, but boy are the parents glad to have them (so I’m told).
After a successful rookie campaign, Valaika seems to be Bud Black’s guy. As of yet, there are no rumblings making their way through the grapevine of Colorado seeking other options. After a year solidifying his spot as a first-choice reserve, the job is his to lose.
The Rockies suffered from a weak bench in 2017, but replacing Amarista’s -1.7 rWAR with Valaika is starting on the right path.
And if he happens to drop some gifts in the stands along the way, all the better.
