Eric Christian Valent (born April 4, 1977), is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Mets. Valent is currently the National Cross Checker in the Miami Marlins organization.
Playing career
High school
Valent was an All-American at Canyon High School in Anaheim, California. On June 1, 1995, he was drafted in the 26th round of the amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers, but he did not sign and instead elected to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
College
Valent had a standout career at UCLA, alongside teammates Troy Glaus, Eric Byrnes, Chase Utley, and Garrett Atkins. He helped lead UCLA to the 1997 College World Series.
Valent has the most career home runs in Pac-10 history (69), and is the UCLA career runs batted in (RBI) leader (219), achieved in only three years of play.
Valent was the Pac-10 Player of the year in 1998. On June 2, 1998, he was selected in the first round (42nd overall) of the supplemental draft by the Phillies.
Of his collegiate career, Valent said: