Luis Valbuena
Born: 11/30/1985 in Caja Seca, Zulia, Venezuela
Died: 12/6/2018 in La Morita, Yaracuy, Venezuela
MLB Debut: 2008-09-02 | Final Game: 2018-08-03
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 215 lbs
Full name: Luis Adan Valbuena
Biography
Luis Valbuena was a professional baseball player born in 1985, who had a career spanning from 2008 to 2018. He played primarily as a position player, appearing in 1,011 games throughout his time in Major League Baseball. Valbuena was known for his power-hitting ability, finishing his career with 114 home runs and 367 RBIs. His batting average stood at .226, reflecting the challenges he faced at the plate during his tenure. Valbuena also contributed to his teams with 11 stolen bases, showcasing his speed and versatility on the field.
Valbuena played in an era characterized by a mix of traditional baseball values and a growing emphasis on power hitting. He was a valuable asset to several teams, including the Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros, where he demonstrated resilience and the ability to perform in clutch situations. His career, while marked by ups and downs, highlighted the importance of adaptability and perseverance in the competitive environment of Major League Baseball. Valbuena's legacy includes not just his contributions on the field, but also his impact as a leader and teammate in the clubhouse, remembered fondly by fans and players alike.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1011 | 3148 | 377 | 710 | 169 | 9 | 114 | 367 | 11 | 374 | 788 | 0.226 | 0.310 | 0.394 | 0.703 | -1484.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | SEA | AL | 18 | 49 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 0.245 | -94.3 |
| 2009 | CLE | AL | 103 | 368 | 52 | 92 | 25 | 3 | 10 | 31 | 2 | 26 | 83 | 0.250 | -465.0 |
| 2010 | CLE | AL | 91 | 275 | 22 | 53 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 24 | 1 | 28 | 61 | 0.193 | -1361.9 |
| 2011 | CLE | AL | 17 | 43 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0.209 | 0.0 |
| 2012 | CHC | NL | 90 | 265 | 26 | 58 | 20 | 0 | 4 | 28 | 0 | 36 | 55 | 0.219 | -462.8 |
| 2013 | CHC | NL | 108 | 331 | 34 | 72 | 15 | 1 | 12 | 37 | 1 | 53 | 63 | 0.218 | 85.6 |
| 2014 | CHC | NL | 149 | 478 | 68 | 119 | 33 | 4 | 16 | 51 | 1 | 65 | 113 | 0.249 | 1106.1 |
| 2015 | HOU | AL | 132 | 434 | 62 | 97 | 18 | 0 | 25 | 56 | 1 | 50 | 106 | 0.224 | 340.7 |
| 2016 | HOU | AL | 90 | 292 | 38 | 76 | 17 | 1 | 13 | 40 | 1 | 44 | 81 | 0.260 | 652.6 |
| 2017 | LAA | AL | 117 | 347 | 42 | 69 | 15 | 0 | 22 | 65 | 0 | 48 | 106 | 0.199 | -284.1 |
| 2018 | LAA | AL | 96 | 266 | 23 | 53 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 33 | 3 | 19 | 100 | 0.199 | -1001.5 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 0.176 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ALWC | HOU | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.250 |
| 2015 | ALDS1 | HOU | 5 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 0.154 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 126 | 94 | 743 | 53 | 4 | 73 |
| 2B | 210 | 189 | 368 | 585 | 10 | 150 |
| 3B | 606 | 536 | 344 | 985 | 49 | 104 |
| OF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SS | 35 | 26 | 46 | 91 | 9 | 12 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | SEA | 2B | 16 | 15 | 21 | 41 | 0 | 11 |
| 2008 | SEA | SS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | CLE | 2B | 77 | 75 | 162 | 228 | 6 | 64 |
| 2009 | CLE | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | CLE | SS | 28 | 22 | 37 | 73 | 5 | 6 |
| 2010 | CLE | 2B | 71 | 66 | 127 | 232 | 4 | 59 |
| 2010 | CLE | 3B | 9 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | CLE | SS | 5 | 4 | 8 | 17 | 4 | 5 |
| 2010 | CLE | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | CLE | 2B | 11 | 9 | 19 | 24 | 0 | 7 |
| 2011 | CLE | SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | CLE | OF | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | CHN | 2B | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 | CHN | 3B | 82 | 72 | 45 | 137 | 7 | 18 |
| 2013 | CHN | 2B | 6 | 5 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 4 |
| 2013 | CHN | 3B | 94 | 85 | 56 | 150 | 7 | 13 |
| 2013 | CHN | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | CHN | 2B | 21 | 17 | 24 | 41 | 0 | 4 |
| 2014 | CHN | 3B | 124 | 105 | 78 | 202 | 9 | 17 |
| 2015 | HOU | 1B | 31 | 27 | 205 | 13 | 1 | 12 |
| 2015 | HOU | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | HOU | 3B | 99 | 93 | 54 | 168 | 6 | 20 |
| 2016 | HOU | 1B | 8 | 7 | 61 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| 2016 | HOU | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | HOU | 3B | 81 | 77 | 54 | 143 | 6 | 17 |
| 2017 | LAA | 1B | 48 | 40 | 316 | 24 | 0 | 33 |
| 2017 | LAA | 3B | 59 | 53 | 33 | 92 | 7 | 8 |
| 2018 | LAA | 1B | 39 | 20 | 161 | 10 | 3 | 24 |
| 2018 | LAA | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | LAA | 3B | 57 | 45 | 21 | 80 | 5 | 11 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 126 |
| Second Base | 210 |
| Third Base | 606 |
| Shortstop | 35 |
| Left Field | 4 |
| Designated Hitter | 16 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | HOU | AL | $6,125,000 |
| 2015 | HOU | AL | $4,200,000 |
| 2014 | CHN | NL | $1,710,000 |
| 2013 | CHN | NL | $930,000 |
| 2012 | CHN | NL | $495,200 |
| 2010 | CLE | AL | $414,700 |
| Total Career Earnings | $13,874,900 | ||