Previous School: Played a season at Cypress College in Cypress, Calif as a first and third baseman...

High School: A two-year all-league performer at Calvary Chapel High School in Santa Ana, Calif... Was the team’s Most Valuable Player during his senior season as a third baseman... Earned second-team All-CIF Conference honors as a junior... Hit .392 as a senior with 23 runs batted in and seven home runs... Also played football and basketball... 

Personal: Majoring in business administration... Born November 4, 1988 in Orange, Calif... Son of Julian Valdez and Eva Islas...