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.
When Valdez makes his MLB debut, he will be the fourth Pirate to do so this year, joining Konnor Griffin, Wilber Dotel and Brandan Bidois.
To make room for Valdez on the active roster, the Pirates are optioning Billy Cook to Indianapolis. Cook has played sparingly with the Pirates this season, appearing in a total of 32 games. In 21 trips to the plate, he’s gone 4 for 21 (.190) with five runs and three steals.
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