Akron RubberDucks Outfielders George Valera and Jhonkensy Noel Named to Futures Game Roster

July 7, 2022 - Eastern League (EL)
Akron RubberDucks News Release

(AKRON, OHIO) - Akron RubberDucks outfielders George Valera and Jhonkensy Noel will represent the Cleveland Guardians organization at the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on Saturday, July 16. The seven-inning game will take place as part of All-Star Saturday at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles at 7:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Peacock.

Valera is the number two overall prospect in the Guardians organization and 33rd overall prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB.com. Through 70 games with the RubberDucks this season, Valera leads Akron with a .285 batting average, 50 RBI, 74 hits, a .903 OPS and an Eastern League-leading 56 runs scored. His 13 home runs are second most on the team. The 21-year-old outfielder has been impressive on the defensive side of the ball as well leading the team with seven outfield assists.

"It is fun to see George have so much success, and he has gotten better each month of this season," said RubberDucks manager Rouglas Odor. "He has impact as a hitter, and he has made great plays in his time at each of the three outfield positions. I think he can be a solid major league outfielder."

After starting the 2021 season with High-A Lake County, Valera finished the season playing in 23 games with the RubberDucks. During those 23 games, the native of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, hit .267 with three home runs and 22 RBI. In the league championship series against Bowie, Valera hit .462 and drove in four runs to help the RubberDucks to the 2021 Double-A Northeast Championship.

Noel is the 13th overall prospect in the Guardians organization according to MLB.com. Since being promoted to Akron on June 24, Noel is batting .276 with five home runs and seven RBI in seven games. Prior to joining the RubberDucks, the 20-year-old Noel played in 62 games with Lake County batting .219 with 19 home runs and 42 RBI. Overall this season, his 24 home runs, .545 slugging percentage and 34 extra-base hits lead Guardians full-season minor leaguers through July 6.

"Jhonkensy has already been impressive with our club, and he also has a bright future," Odor said. "He hits the ball hard, and he has good baseball IQ, running the bases and taking angles. Even though he is new to the outfield, he already looks comfortable there with the plays he has made."

In 2021, the native of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic played in 64 games between Single-A Lynchburg and High-A Lake County, batting .348 with 19 home runs and 65 RBI.

Both Valera and Noel were members of Cleveland's 2017 international signing class and were placed on the Guardians 40-man roster on November 19, 2021. They join Nolan Jones (2019) and Bo Naylor (2021) as recent members of the RubberDucks to be selected to the All-Star Futures Game.

Eastern League Stories from July 7, 2022

• Offense Shuttered as Baysox Are Shut Out for Second Time in Three Games - Chesapeake Baysox
• Bibee Strong in Akron Debut But Curve Rally to Edge Ducks 3-2 - Akron RubberDucks
• Stovall Smashes Yard Goats to Victory - Hartford Yard Goats
• Portland Pummels Rumble Ponies 16-1 Thursday Night - Portland Sea Dogs
• Will Warren Throws Seven Dominant Innings in 5-0 Win for Somerset - Somerset Patriots
• SeaWolves Come from Behind, Win Fourth Straight - Erie SeaWolves
• Portland with 11-Run First Inning, Defeats Binghamton Thursday Night - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
• Late Reading Rally Sinks Squirrels in 5-3 Loss - Richmond Flying Squirrels
• Bullpen Arms Toss 'Ducks Aside in 3-2 Win - Altoona Curve
• Rijo Homers Twice in R-Phils' Win - Reading Fightin Phils
• Sens Homer Twice in 7-6 Loss - Harrisburg Senators
• Friday and Saturday Game Times for the RubberDucks and Curve Series Adjusted - Akron RubberDucks
• RubberDucks' Micah Pries Named Player of the Month and Logan Allen Named Pitcher of the Month - Akron RubberDucks
• Back With a Win - Portland Sea Dogs
• Harrisburg Senators Starting Lineup and Game Notes vs. Erie - Harrisburg Senators
• Friscia to Play for Team Italy in Haarlem Baseball Week - Reading Fightin Phils
• Akron RubberDucks Outfielders George Valera and Jhonkensy Noel Named to Futures Game Roster - Akron RubberDucks
• Yosver Zulueta Selected to MLB All-Star Futures Game - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
• O'Hoppe, Miller Selected for All-Star Futures Game - Reading Fightin Phils
• Yankees No. 1 Prospect Anthony Volpe Named to MLB All-Star Futures Game - Somerset Patriots
• Henry Davis Named to SiriusXM Futures Game Roster - Altoona Curve
• Two SeaWolves Named to the Futures Game - Erie SeaWolves

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Akron RubberDucks Stories

• Ducks Late Charge Falls Short in 3-2 Loss to Senators
• Cleveland Guardians Trevor Stephan and Paul Sewald to Rehab Tuesday at Canal Park
• Ducks End Trip Losing 10-0 No-Hitter in Portland
• Ducks Fall, 5-4, in Portland, Lose First-Half Race with Erie
• Ducks Stay 0.5 Behind Erie After 8-2 Loss in Portland