1980–1997 · P

Fernando Valenzuela

5' 11", 180 lbs·Lived to 64·Bats L / Throws L

2×Silver SluggerCy Young AwardROYGold GloveAll-Star

The Almanac's Take

The Cy Young winner and Rookie of the Year in 1981 sparked a cultural phenomenon that extended far beyond baseball statistics. "Fernandomania" drew massive crowds of Mexican-American fans to Dodger Stadium and fundamentally changed baseball's demographic reach in Los Angeles and beyond.

Valenzuela's screwball made him effective for nearly two decades, posting a 109 ERA+ across 18 seasons while striking out over 2,000 batters. His 1985 campaign stands as his statistical peak — a 2.45 ERA with 208 strikeouts that earned him a 159 ERA+. The left-hander's unusual delivery and devastating screwball kept hitters off balance throughout a career that saw him win 173 games.

Beyond the mound, Valenzuela swung a surprisingly capable bat for a pitcher, earning two Silver Slugger awards and posting a respectable .200 average with 10 home runs over nearly 1,000 plate appearances.

Career Highs

2.45

Best ERA · 1985

Most W · 1986

242

Most K · 1986

1.045

Best WHIP · 1981

Career Arc · OPS

14 seasons

Career Arc · ERA

16 seasons

Statistical Comps

Framber Valdez

98%

2024 season

K/9 8.6 · BB/9 2.8 · HR/9 0.66 · SP · FB 94.1 mph · Whiff% 26

Stephen Kolek

98%

2025 season

K/9 6.2 · BB/9 2.5 · HR/9 0.72 · SP · FB 93.8 mph · Whiff% 16

Brayan Bello

98%

2025 season

K/9 6.7 · BB/9 3.2 · HR/9 0.86 · SP · FB 95.2 mph · Whiff% 19

Career · Hitting

17 seasons

Year	Team	G	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	OPS+
1980	LAD	10	1	0	0	.000	.000	0
1981	LAD	25	64	0	7	.250	.543	79
1982	LAD	38	95	1	9	.168	.390	55
1983	LAD	36	91	1	9	.187	.446	62
1984	LAD	35	79	3	7	.190	.542	77
1985	LAD	35	97	1	7	.216	.482	67
1986	LAD	39	109	0	7	.220	.475	66
1987	LAD	38	92	1	8	.141	.326	44
1988	LAD	23	44	0	1	.182	.427	61
1989	LAD	34	66	0	6	.182	.394	57
1990	LAD	35	69	1	11	.304	.730	103
1991	CAL	2	0	0	0	—	—	—
1993	BAL	32	0	0	0	—	—	—
1994	PHI	8	12	0	0	.250	.583	76
1995	SD	29	32	2	8	.250	.719	95
1996	SD	36	63	0	2	.143	.317	41
1997	SD	19	22	0	2	.182	.364	48
Career		474	936	10	84	.200	—	—

Career · Pitching

17 seasons

Year	Team	G	IP	W	L	ERA	ERA+	SO	WHIP
1980	LAD	10	17.7	2	0	0.00	—	16	0.736
1981	LAD	25	192.3	13	7	2.48	144	180	1.045
1982	LAD	37	285.0	19	13	2.87	134	199	1.158
1983	LAD	35	257.0	15	10	3.75	103	189	1.339
1984	LAD	34	261.0	12	17	3.03	126	240	1.241
1985	LAD	35	272.3	17	10	2.45	159	208	1.146
1986	LAD	34	269.3	21	11	3.14	126	242	1.155
1987	LAD	34	251.0	14	14	3.98	108	190	1.506
1988	LAD	23	142.3	5	8	4.24	88	64	1.532
1989	LAD	31	196.7	10	13	3.43	108	116	1.439
1990	LAD	33	204.0	13	13	4.59	84	115	1.471
1991	CAL	2	6.7	0	2	12.15	32	5	2.550
1993	BAL	32	178.7	8	10	4.94	85	78	1.444
1994	PHI	8	45.0	1	2	3.00	150	19	1.089
1995	SD	29	90.3	8	3	4.98	89	57	1.494
1996	SD	33	171.7	13	8	3.62	127	95	1.421
1997	SD	18	89.0	2	12	4.96	88	61	1.708
Career		453	2930.0	173	153	—	—	2074	—

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