20230520_AS_009467

CJ Valdez Season 2022

#10
PositionINF
Weight185 lbs
Height6-0
YearJunior
HometownChandler, Ariz.
Previous SchoolYavapai JC
B/TR/R
HS Grad Class2019
2023 / AS A SENIOR
• Academic All-Big Ten

2022 / AS A JUNIOR
• First Team All-Big Ten
• Academic All-Big Ten
• 
Made all 46 starts of his starts at designated hitter
• Played injured most of the season with a nagging hamstring ailment, part of the reason he did not play the field
• First Boilermaker to be first-team All-Big Ten since 2012
• Recognized as the team's Offensive Player of the Year
• First Boilermaker to be a first-team all-conference performer at DH since 2000
• Reached base safely in each of the first 34 games he played, posting Purdue's third longest season-opening streak since 2001 and fifth longest overall
Was on-base safely in 43 of his 46 games overall
Had five-RBI games at UIC and Iowa, joining Troy Viola on a short list of six Boilermakers since 2001 with two five-RBI games in a season
Hit his first home run as a Boilermaker as part of a multi-homer game April 19 at UIC
Delivered a walk-off double in the ninth inning of a Feb. 26 victory vs. Princeton, the first of Purdue’s six walk-off wins on the season
Ranked second in the team in RBI (43) and walks (28) while connecting for 14 doubles and posting a .432 OBP
Led the team with a .412 average and .571 OBP as Purdue went 10-2 in March
Hit safely in all eight games of the North Carolina road trip as part of a nine-game hit streak to open the season
Had multiple hits in all three games of the series win vs. Indiana, finishing the weekend 7-for-13 with five RBI
Also hit safely in all three games of the pivotal series win at Northwestern, homering in the rubber game victory
Scored a run in nine straight games in April
Batted .405 in neutral-site games, seeing action in 10 of the 13 contests
Batted .344 with a team-high 15 RBI in midweek action



BEFORE PURDUE
Played his first two collegiate seasons at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona
Named a first-team All-American by the JBB in 2021 after slugging a 17 home runs with 62 RBI
Also an NJCAA second-team All-American and MVP of the NJCAA Region I Tournament
Finished the 2021 season with a .411/.498/.792 slash line plus 18 doubles and 19 stolen bases and 64 runs in 54 games
Also posted impressive numbers early in 2020 before the shutdown: ..381/.485/.714, 15 XBH, 21 RBI in 25 games

HIGH SCHOOL
Three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Damien Tippit at Perry High School on the southwest side of the Phoenix area
Two-way standout batted .407 with nine home runs as a senior while also compiling a 0.67 ERA on the mound
Started at third base on varsity as a sophomore after finishing his freshman season as a playoff call-up
Moved to second base as a junior
Also played for the Sandlot Baseball Club

PERSONAL
Major: Selling and Sales Management
Full name is Conrad Joseph Valdez
Born in Chandler, Arizona
Parents are Conrad and Kim Valdez
Family also includes siblings Erica and Tyler
Dad played baseball at South Mountain Community College in Arizona
Tyler pitches at Chandler Community College in Arizona

PURDUE PERSONAL PREFERENCES
Favorite Pro Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Dallas Cowboys
Favorite Athlete: Ketel Marte
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Conrad Valdez, Father
Favorite Pro Stadium: Coors Field
Toughest Pitcher for Him to Face Among Teammates: CJ Backer
Current MLB Pitcher He’d Like to Face: Yu Darvish
Funniest Teammate: Luke Gaffney
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Evan Albrecht
Purdue Staff Member He Enjoys Strongest Connection With: Casey Kohr
In His Favorite Playlist: J. Cole
Favorite Multi-Media App: Apple Music
Favorite Super-Hero: Spider-Man
Favorite Video Game System: PlayStation 
Favorite Month: July
Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
Pick One – Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Dinner
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Golf
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Basketball
Favorite Big City: San Diego
Unique Travel Locale: Yavapai, Arizona
Country He’d Like to Visit: Japan
Pick One for a Vacation – Beach or Mountains: Beach
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: The Field
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Sophomore Year at Yavapai College
Valdez_20220915_AS_0027477_i2xwB

Senior
2023

INF
6-0 / 185 lbs