Chris Valaika
Born: 8/14/1985 in Santa Monica, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 2010-08-24 | Final Game: 2014-09-28
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 205 lbs
Full name: Christopher Andrew Valaika
Biography
Chris Valaika, born in 1985, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball between 2010 and 2014. Primarily serving as a position player, Valaika played in a total of 99 games during his career. He recorded 59 hits, including 5 home runs, and drove in 24 runs, finishing with a batting average of .238. Known for his versatility on the field, Valaika contributed as a reliable utility player, able to fill various roles as needed.
Valaika's career unfolded during a transitional period in baseball, where the game was witnessing a shift toward more specialized roles and analytical approaches to player performance. Despite not being a household name, his contributions to the teams he played for, including the Cincinnati Reds and the Miami Marlins, reflected the depth and resilience often found in players who occupy vital supporting roles in the league. Valaika's single stolen base showcased his speed and awareness on the base paths, rounding out a career that, while brief, was marked by the grit and determination characteristic of many players seeking to establish themselves in a competitive era.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | 248 | 20 | 59 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 24 | 1 | 13 | 63 | 0.238 | 0.282 | 0.351 | 0.633 | -408.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | CIN | NL | 19 | 38 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 0.263 | 0.0 |
| 2011 | CIN | NL | 14 | 25 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0.280 | 0.0 |
| 2013 | MIA | NL | 22 | 64 | 4 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 0.219 | -179.6 |
| 2014 | CHC | NL | 44 | 121 | 10 | 28 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 35 | 0.231 | -228.8 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 18 | 14 | 107 | 14 | 3 | 15 |
| 2B | 32 | 20 | 47 | 63 | 0 | 14 |
| 3B | 17 | 14 | 12 | 32 | 1 | 4 |
| SS | 11 | 10 | 11 | 22 | 1 | 8 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | CIN | 2B | 13 | 6 | 19 | 24 | 0 | 7 |
| 2010 | CIN | SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 | CIN | 2B | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | CIN | 3B | 4 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 2 |
| 2011 | CIN | SS | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | MIA | 1B | 3 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2013 | MIA | 2B | 6 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 3 |
| 2013 | MIA | 3B | 5 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | MIA | SS | 6 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 1 | 3 |
| 2014 | CHN | 1B | 15 | 13 | 99 | 12 | 2 | 13 |
| 2014 | CHN | 2B | 12 | 8 | 17 | 27 | 0 | 4 |
| 2014 | CHN | 3B | 8 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 0 | 2 |
| 2014 | CHN | SS | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 18 |
| Second Base | 32 |
| Third Base | 17 |
| Shortstop | 11 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California - Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | CA | 2004, 2005, 2006 |