Pat Valaika
Introduction
Patrick Ryne Valaika (born September 9, 1992) is an American professional baseball infielder in the Baltimore Orioles organization. He has played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies.
Career
Amateur
Valaika attended Hart High School in Newhall, California and played college baseball at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In 2012, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the ninth round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft.
Colorado Rockies
Valaika was called up to the Major Leagues for the first time on September 6, 2016.
On Mother's Day, 2017, Valaika hit 2 home runs, and on Father's Day that same year he hit a pinch hit home run.
Baltimore Orioles
On October 30, 2019, Valaika was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. However, Valaika was designated for assignment by the Orioles on January 10, 2020 to make room for Richard Ureña on their 40-man roster.
On January 16, 2020, Valaika was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Valaika was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on January 27, following the acquisition of Starling Marte.
On January 30, Valaika was again claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. He was outrighted to the minors on February 11.
Personal life
His brother, Chris, played professionally from 2006–2015.
His other brother, Nick, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017.