Jhovanny Valdez is playing his one and only varsity season for Newburgh’s baseball team, and the senior has been an important part of the Goldbacks’ offense this spring.

“Jhovanny is one of our better hitters,” said Scott Seabury, Newburgh’s coach. “We look at him as one of the guys who can drive the ball in the gaps.”

Valdez can play second base and shortstop, but his primary role for the Goldbacks is to play designated hitter.

“I like hitting the ball. That’s what I like to do,” said Valdez, before the game.

“That’s my life. I love to hit.”

Valdez started playing baseball when he was eight years old. He also spent some time playing for the Goldbacks’ JV program. As the Goldbacks start their May churn for a playoff berth, Valdez’s hitting will be needed in that quest.
“Occasionally, he can pop it over the fence. He has good power, good balance at the plate,” said Seabury. “And he swings the bat really well.”

Hitting a baseball is considered one of the most difficult tasks in all of sport. A second is about as much time hitters get before committing to swing at a pitch. And skilled hitters help themselves by seeing the pitcher’s grip on ball, trying to get an edge on the pitch before it is thrown.

Valdez’s practice at the plate is looking for outside pitches to punch to the opposite field and pulling the inside pitches, as a right-handed hitter, to left field.

Valdez is playing his final weeks of varsity baseball as his team makes a run for their best possible finish.

“We’re a good team,” he said. “We have a lot of energy.”