Vitals: 23 years old (turns 24 on December 23); 6-foot and 174 pounds; bats left-handed and throws right-handed; signed as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic in 2007; was 30th on this list last season.

Performance: Valdespin played very well for High-A St. Lucie, hiting .289 with six homers, 33 RBI and 13 stolen bases (although he was thrown out 10 times) in 65 games. The middle infielder, who has spent time at both second base and shortstop, didn’t fare as well when he moved up to Double-A Binghamton. H hit .232 with no homers and eight RBI in 112 at-bats over 28 games.

Outlook: With uncertain futures in the majors both at second base and shortstop, where Luis Castillo and Jose Reyes enter the final years of their respective contracts, Valdespin could put himself on the radar with a strong 2011 season. He’ll most likely get his chance to do that back in Double-A to begin the year, where he’ll play for Wally Backman.