"The catcher began his journey through the minor leagues with the Dodgers, who signed him out of Venezuela in 2019. Valladares was one of a few Venezuelan catching prospects in the Dodgers' system alongside Diego Cartaya and Keibert Ruiz. Both Cartaya and Ruiz eventually left the Dodgers via trade, but Valladares remained with the Dodgers and trudged his way through L.A.'s farm system."
"The catcher didn't make a professional appearance within the Dodgers system until 2021, when he made his debut in the Dominican Summer League. He had an .826 OPS through 22 games that season, and had a .935 OPS through 45 games the following season. After his success in the DSL, Valladares came stateside to play in the Arizona Complex League in 2023. Through his first season in the ACL, Valladares had a .874 OPS with three homers and 10 RBIs."
"Valladares relocated after 2024, with the Minnesota Twins picking him up in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft. He began the year in Class-A, though his numbers weren't quite where he would have liked. He had a .570 OPS through 53 games, but still managed a promotion to High-A within the Twins organization. The catcher performed much better in High-A, slashing .258/.347/.409 through 22 games played. With the season over, though, the 23-year-old is clearly content with"
Jefferson Valladares is a Venezuelan catcher who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019 and spent five seasons in the minor leagues. He debuted professionally in 2021 in the Dominican Summer League, posting an .826 OPS in 22 games and a .935 OPS in 45 games the following season. He played in the Arizona Complex League in 2023, recording a .874 OPS with three homers and 10 RBIs, and reached Class-A Rancho Cucamonga in 2024 with a .271/.357/.396 slash line. The Minnesota Twins selected him in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft, and he reached High-A, slashing .258/.347/.409 before retiring to coach for the Wilmington Blue Rocks.
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