Pirates to Promote Slugging Prospect Esmerlyn Valdez
The Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting outfield prospect Esmerlyn Valdez to the big leagues, a source confirmed to Pittsburgh Baseball Now. He is expected to join the team in Toronto on Friday. Valdez, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 234 pounds, has spent the season with Triple-A Indianapolis.
In 46 games, he’s slashed . 253/. 381/.
506 with 10 doubles, 10 home runs and 29 RBI. The 22-year-old has hit five home runs in his last five games, including one in each of his last three games played. The Pirates added Valdez to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect him from being selected in the Rule 5 Draft.
In six minor-league seasons, Valdez, who is ranked as the Pirates No. 9 prospect by MLB Pipeline , owns a . 261/.
368/. 483 batting line with 77 doubles, five triples, 72 home runs and 253 RBI in 402 games. The Pirates signed Valdez for $130,000 as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic during the 2020-21 signing period.