George Valera — arguably the most touted prospect in the entire Cleveland Guardians farm system — has found himself in some seriously hot water … after he shoved an umpire during a game on Thursday night.
The wild scene all went down in the third inning of the Columbus Clippers’ tilt against the Nashville Sound … when Valera — who was playing centerfield for the Clips — stepped into the box for his second at-bat of the night.
Here is the entire George Valera incident from tonight in the Clippers game vs the Sounds. Valera likely looking at a suspension. pic.twitter.com/xRWseGUFMM
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) July 7, 2023
@CleGuardPro
Broadcast video from the game shows during the middle of the AB — Valera appeared to take exception to something Sound catcher Alex Jackson said … and he confronted him about it, halting play.
The two then got so heated, the home plate ump tried to intervene — but that didn’t stop Valera from sticking his finger in Jackson’s mask. A few moments later, Valera pushed the ump in what seemed to be an effort to get to Jackson.
WE GOT BEEF!!!!! At the Nashville Sounds game after the batter PUNCHED THE UMP!!!!! #NashvilleSounds #WeGotBeef pic.twitter.com/ogRBnYD8Rv
— DannyBTalks (Daniel Baldwin) (@DannyBTalks) July 7, 2023
@DannyBTalks
The shove ignited an all-out brawl on the field … as both benches cleared to back their guys. Pushing and shoving then ensued — before, thankfully, cooler heads prevailed.
Both Valera and Jackson ended up getting thrown out of the game over it all. It’s unclear if Valera will face further punishment for putting his hands on an ump.
Valera, 22, is the No. 2-rated prospect in the Guardians’ system … and prior to the start of this year, there was a belief he could get the call up to Cleveland’s Big League roster this season.