Alex Valdez   35 | Pitcher

 Valdez returns for his third season with the Otters in 2026. The Dominican Republic native signed with the Diamondbacks in 2017, playing mostly in Rookie Ball before spending two seasons splitting time between the Arizona Complex League and Single-A Visalia. His first season in independent ball was with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association, where he spent the second half of 2022 and all of 2023. He was traded to Evansville before the 2024 season, where he had a 1.26 ERA in 14.1 IP. Last year, he pitched 45 IP to a 3.40 ERA, hit 52 strikeouts, ranking second among Otters relievers.