The Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting one of the biggest power-hitting bats in the organization to the Major Leagues.
First baseman/outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez is expected to join the Pirates in Toronto on Friday before the Pirates begin a three-game series against the Blue Jays. BBWAA member Francys Romero was first to report the promotion.
Regarded as the 9th-best prospect in the system by MLB Pipeline, Valdez crushed Triple-A pitching.
In 46 games, Valdez hit .253 with 10 doubles and 10 home runs during
his first season at the highest level of the minor leagues.
Valdez totaled 29 runs driven in and held an impressive 33 walks compared to 41 strikeouts.
Valdez, 22, has combined to hit 58 home runs over the last three seasons, including 22 in Single-A Bradenton during the 2024 campaign and 26 between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona last year.
Regarded by MLB Pipeline as owning a 60-grade power tool, Valdez signed as an international free agent during the 2020-21 signing period.
The right-handed batter rocketed through the minors over the last three seasons and adds another power threat to an offense that has hit 50 home runs after only 117 all of last season.
The Pirates demoted outfielder Billy Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis as a corresponding move, according to Jośe Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports.
The Pirates promoted No. 4 prospect, outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia at the start of the Cardinals series after Ryan O’Hearn injured his quadriceps.
Garcia recorded three hits in his first nine at-bats and his first-career RBI in Wednesday’s victory.
Pittsburgh will send Bubba Chandler, Paul Skenes, and Bubba Chandler to the mound against the Blue Jays.
