Akron RubberDucks Outfielders George Valera and Jhonkensy Noel Named to Futures Game Roster
(AKRON, OHIO) July 7, 2022 – 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.
(AKRON, OHIO) July 7, 2022 – 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.
These dudes are headed to the 2022 All•Star Futures Game! 👏
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) July 7, 2022
Congratulations, @GV13__ & @jhonkensy15 🔥 pic.twitter.com/stVLZFaMnn
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.
The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. The RubberDucks season is powered by FirstEnergy at Canal Park, with the RubberDucks home all summer through September 18. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 330-253-5151 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, or visit akronrubberducks.com/. For more information about the team, please call 330-253-5151, visit the website at akronrubberducks.com, Facebook page facebook.com/AkronRubberDucks, or on Twitter @AkronRubberDuck, and Instagram @akronrubberducks.