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Jordany Valdespin is thinking and saying all of the right things.

Now, it's just a matter of him doing them on a consistent basis.

But, as the 2011 Triple-A season fades into history, Valdespin, a 23-year-old middle infielder, made his Triple-A debut with the Buffalo Bisons on August 10, going 2 for 4 in a 6-1 loss to Syracuse.

Joining the Herd after an impressive stint with Double-A Binghamton where he hit .297 with 15 homers and
51 RBI, Valdespin introduced himself to Triple-A in fine fashion as he doubled to left field in his first at-bat.

"It's a big moment," Valdespin said of that first hit. "It's fun,(I'm) happy. First time I bat in Triple-A, I hit a double so it's great."
Stealing 33 bases in 47 attempts with the B-Mets, Valdespin, ranked No.37 in the Mets system by Baseball America, certainly has some of the most impressive speed in the Mets system.

But at the same time while having that "green light" to run, Valdespin has also made questionable choices in his base running decisions during his career.

But the book on Jordany Valdespin isn't restricted to the normal on-field growing pains.

In June of 2009, while playing with Class-A Savannah, Valdespin was involved in an incident within the team circle that resulted in him being banished to extended spring training for two months.

While the organization has never revealed what took place, the rumor mill spun that Valdespin had issues getting along with some teammates.

Valdespin's woes didn't end there as earlier this season he found himself in Binghamton manager Wally Backman's doghouse because of his lack of intensity.

But after riding the pine for a few games Valdespin returned to the lineup with a newfound and attitude.

"He's showed his teammates a lot more respect," said Wally Backman. "He's had a few issues with players in the past. And this year, he's been good. I think its showed in the way he's played the game."

Baseball America said that Valdespin's defensive game "needed a lot of refinement."

Having a history of carelessly muffing routine defensive plays, Valdespin also has a rep for being undisciplined at the plate.

The word in a nutshell is that Valdespin (3 for 8 in Triple-A) has the tools, but the kid just has to play smarter and better, more often.
Even now, just two games into his stay in Buffalo, Valdespin has clearly jogged it out to first base during his second and third at-bats during Thursday's 3-2 win over Syracuse.

But from the dugout Bison skipper Tim Teufel viewed it more as a young player being too wrapped up in his new surroundings and simply needing to focus more.

"Sometimes he looks at the ball when he hits it, doesn't run as fast as his body will allow him. But I think he's going to learn how to play the game a little bit more up here," said Teufel. "I see him looking at the play to see if the shortstop, or whoever is catching the ball, catches the ball. While he's doing that he's just kind of floating down the line instead of focusing on the base. Usually when you hit a ground ball you're focusing on the base..it'll be addressed but it's certainly something he's going to get better at."

"I'm here to try...I'm not perfect, because nobody is perfect in the world," Valdespin explained. "I'm here to play hard...then I (need to improve) a couple things because the big leagues are different. It's baseball, but you try to do things the right way."

Proving he can come through when needed most, on Thursday Valdespin delivered a sharp base hit up the middle that plated Fernando Perez, tying the score at 2-2 and setting the tone for the Bisons victory.

"Right now I'm trying to work on my defense. It's a little difficult right now. I've been working everyday early. Getting to the park and working on my defense," Valdespin said. "My hitting right now is good. I see the ball good now."

Saying that he knows he has to work hard everyday, Valdespin thanked his teammates for the help they have given him so far.
Valdespin has the tools to be a fine player, but can he put and keep it all together? Time will tell.