One of the breakout players in the Pirates' system last year, Esmerlyn Valdez led the organization with 26 home runs in 2025, and then went to the Arizona Fall League and hit eight more.
Power has never been in question for Valdez, he led the Florida State League in home runs back in 2024 as a 20 year old, and then nearly took home the crown last year in Greensboro despite playing only 76 games there.
The question was whether or not he would be able to make enough contact to allow that power to play in games. He accomplished cutting down on the strikeouts, going from a 30.6% rate in 2024, to 24.6% last year.
Playing his final 51 games of the season in Double-A Altoona, Valdez hit .260/.363/.409 with six home runs and seven doubles. Despite facing tougher competition, Valdez's contact and swinging strike rate actually improved in Double-A, showing the ability to make adjustments to breaking pitches.
Valdez was perhaps the biggest 'no-doubt' add to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect from the Rule 5 draft. There's a good chance that he begins the year with Triple-A Indianapolis, where he will get more experience against upper level pitching.
There's 25+ home run power in his bat, and if he makes another step forward this year with the contact, it'll be even easier for him to get to it.
THE ASYLUM
Today's Prospect: Esmerlyn Valdez
One of the breakout players in the Pirates' system last year, Esmerlyn Valdez led the organization with 26 home runs in 2025, and then went to the Arizona Fall League and hit eight more.
Power has never been in question for Valdez, he led the Florida State League in home runs back in 2024 as a 20 year old, and then nearly took home the crown last year in Greensboro despite playing only 76 games there.
The question was whether or not he would be able to make enough contact to allow that power to play in games. He accomplished cutting down on the strikeouts, going from a 30.6% rate in 2024, to 24.6% last year.
Playing his final 51 games of the season in Double-A Altoona, Valdez hit .260/.363/.409 with six home runs and seven doubles. Despite facing tougher competition, Valdez's contact and swinging strike rate actually improved in Double-A, showing the ability to make adjustments to breaking pitches.
Valdez was perhaps the biggest 'no-doubt' add to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect from the Rule 5 draft. There's a good chance that he begins the year with Triple-A Indianapolis, where he will get more experience against upper level pitching.
There's 25+ home run power in his bat, and if he makes another step forward this year with the contact, it'll be even easier for him to get to it.
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