Framber Valdez Will Start For Astros On Opening Day
Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez has been named the team's Opening Day starter on March 27 against the New York Mets, according to manager Joe Espada. Because Valdez doesn't have the high-end strikeout upside that other aces do, he's merely a low-end fantasy ace/high-end No. 2 option, and the 31-year-old Dominican southpaw will have a tough task on his hands in his first start of 2025. He makes up for his lack of strikeouts with an elite ability to induce weak contact, mainly in the form of ground balls. The two-time All-Star and former World Series champion went 15-7 in 2024 with a sharp 2.91 ERA (3.25 FIP) and a 1.11 WHIP with 169 strikeouts and 55 walks in 176 1/3 innings over his 28 regular-season starts. The veteran southpaw has also looked good this spring with a 2.53 ERA in his 10 2/3 innings, but Valdez only has one season of 200-plus K's.
Astros Haven't Approached Framber Valdez About Contract Extension
Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez said the team has not approached him or his agent yet about a contract extension, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome. Rome adds that it would probably be unwise for Valdez to consider signing any extension the Astros might offer him during spring training. The 31-year-old southpaw is in his final year of club control in 2025 and is scheduled to make $18 million this year. If he hits the open market next winter, which appears likely right now, Valdez should have no shortage of offers from other organizations after serving as Houston's ace the last three years. The Dominican hurler was an All-Star in 2022 and 2023 and had a 2.91 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 169:55 K:BB in 28 starts in 2024. There's a lot to like about Valdez, but his lower strikeout rate for an ace makes him more of a low-end No. 1 fantasy starter/high-end No. 2 than a high-end fantasy ace.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Houston Astros and starting pitcher Framber Valdez have agreed to a one-year contract worth $18 million to avoid arbitration. The southpaw is expected to be among the top free agents following the 2025 season. Last summer, the 31-year-old posted a 2.91 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP across 176 1/3 innings of work. Valdez has made at least 28 starts over the past three seasons and logged at least 175 innings in each campaign. Last summer, Valdez generated a stellar 61.7% ground-ball rate, which placed him in the 99th percentile among qualified pitchers. He also limited hard contact with an excellent 5.3% barrel rate. Despite his modest strikeout production, Valdez remains one of the safest pitchers in fantasy baseball, given his ability to log a high total of innings each year and produce strong ratios.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez had another strong outing in Friday's 8-0 victory over the Diamondbacks, tossing seven shutout innings, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out seven on the way to picking up his 14th win of the season. The southpaw had a 1.59 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, and a 24.0% K-BB% over five starts in August and looks to have carried that momentum right on into September with his 15th quality start of the year. The 30-year-old now has a 2.97 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.09 WHIP, and a 16.5% K-BB% in 2024. The 2x All-Star gets a favorable matchup his next time out when he faces the Athletics at home next Thursday.
Framber Valdez Tosses Seven Hitless Innings In No-Decision
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez threw seven innings of a no-hit baseball in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Royals, allowing three walks and a hit batsman while striking out seven, but did not factor into the decision. The lefty was at 98 pitches so he would have gone well over his season-high pitch count had Joe Espada allowed him to stay in the game for the final two innings. Valdez has been great in August, even coming within one out away from a no-hitter earlier this month, posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, and a 24.0% K-BB% over five starts. The 30-year-old has been good overall as well, logging a 13-6 record with a 3.11 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 16.6% K-BB%. His next start will come next weekend at home against the Diamondbacks.
Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez turned in a dominant outing Sunday in the team's 2-0 win over the Chicago White Sox. The left-hander shut out Chicago over seven innings with three hits and nine strikeouts to win his eighth straight decision. Valdez has been red hot and has lowered his ERA to 3.20 on the season with a 1.14 WHIP and a 13-5 record. The 30-year-old is dialed in lately and continues to be an excellent fantasy option.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez improved to 12-5 in Monday's 6-1 win over the Rays. Valdez pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits and a walk with nine strikeouts. The 30-year-old now owns a 3.38 ERA, an 8.40 K/9 rate, and a 2.89 BB/9 rate in 21 starts and 130 2/3 IP. His strikeout game has played up lately in particular, as he has totaled nine or more in four of his last six starts. Valdez has been a higher-end fantasy option throughout his career without particularly overpowering stuff, so the recent strikeout spike is an added bonus for fantasy managers. He should have a good chance to continue this spike in his next start against the White Sox.
Framber Valdez Falls One Out Shy Of No-Hitter Tuesday
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez nearly made history in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Rangers. Valdez pitched 8 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on one hit (a home run) and three walks with five strikeouts. Valdez was one out away from his second career no-hitter, but he was pulled after allowing a two-run homer to Corey Seager. The 30-year-old has been a bit inconsistent at times this season but has overall been a higher-end fantasy option once again, going 11-5 with a 3.46 ERA, an 8.14 K/9 rate, and a 2.95 BB/9 rate in 20 starts and 125 IP. His next start will be a decent matchup at a mediocre Rays lineup.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez collected 10 strikeouts through six solid innings of work during Wednesday night's outing against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates at Minute Maid Park. It was a second consecutive showing with 10 punchouts for Valdez, who nabbed his 10th win of the year after yielding four runs on six hits and no walks against Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The 30-year-old star left-hander will bring a 2.90 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 40 K's and nine free passes over his last five appearances (31 frames) into his next scheduled showing on the road at Globe Life Field in Arlington next Wednesday for a pivotal Lone Star Series clash with the defending-champion Texas Rangers.
Framber Valdez Tallies Double-Digit Punchouts On Friday
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez shut down the Dodgers on Friday evening as he tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings. He allowed just four hits and two free passes. He struck out 10. The 30-year-old has enjoyed a nice turnaround across his last three outings, as he has carried a 1.42 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 7:26 BB:K after he posted a much higher 4.55 ERA and 1.66 WHIP through most of June. Through 110 innings this season, Valdez has held a 3.43 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and a 38:98 BB:K. He should remain started in all leagues and will be a popular DFS play in his next start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, July 31.
Framber Valdez
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Astros
