Pirates All 40: Enmanuel Valdez Provides Utility Depth

This is one in a series of stories breaking down members of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 40-man roster.

The Pirates acquired utility man Enmanuel Valdez from the Boston Red Sox in December, trading away 2024 19th round draft pick Joe Vogatsky in order to swing the deal.

Valdez stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 191 pounds. Although Houston initially signed Valdez as an international free agent out of his native Dominican Republic, the Astros flipped him to Boston in 2022 as part of the Christian Vazquez trade. Valdez made his big league debut with the Red Sox in 2023, slashing .266/.311/.453 across two stints (49 games) in Boston. 

Although he made the Red Sox’ Opening Day roster in 2024, ultimately appearing in 76 big league games with the team, he still flipped back and forth between the Red Sox and their Triple-A affiliate. Primarily playing at second base, Valdez also tried his hand at third and in left field. A lefty bat, Valdez slashed .214/.270/.363 with 12 doubles and six homers, striking out nearly 25 percent of the time.

How will he fit in with the Pirates? Likely in a similar role.

With Nick Gonzales likely starting at second base, some combination of Ke’Bryan Hayes (if healthy) and Jared Triolo at third and Isaiah Kiner-Falefa at shortstop, much of Pittsburgh’s infield is already accounted for.  A strong performance in spring training could land Valdez on the big league roster, albeit as a bench bat rather than a starter. Otherwise, he could wait in the wings in Triple-A until needed, or until his bat gets hot.