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Pirates Top 30 Prospects No. 27: Promising OF/1B Edward Florentino

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Edward Florentino, Pittsburgh Pirates

This is one in a series of stories breaking down PBN’s Top 30 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects.



Edward Florentino doesn’t turn 18 years old until next month, but he’s already showing promise after his first season of professional ball.

Florentino was one of the Pirates’ more highly-regarded international signings during the 2024 cycle, landing a $395,000 bonus.

The native of Los Alcarrizos, Dominican Republic, made his debut in the Pirates’ organization this past year in the Dominican Summer League and performed well.

Florentino slashed .260/.432/.459 with 10 doubles, a pair of triples, five home runs 28 RBIs and eight stolen bases. One of the more encouraging signs the 17-year-old showed was an advanced feel for the strike zone with an exceptional 20% walk rate and an 18.9% strikeout rate.

Though he’s still just a teenager, Florentino already possesses a solid frame, listed at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds. With his frame and the power potential he’s already shown, Florentino has upside of becoming a threat in the middle of the order.

If he continues to develop that power potential, Florentino’s bat will certainly play wherever he winds up defensively. Though he spent some time in center field in 2024, Florentino projects to ultimately land at one of the corner outfield spots or first base.

He currently grades as a below-average runner and his already large frame paints a bleak picture of being able to add improved speed as he continues to mature. However, he does have a fairly strong arm that would play well as an outfielder. Florentino recorded five outfield assists in 27 games this season.

Regardless of potential defensive deficiencies, Florentino is one to watch in the lower levels of the Pirates’ minor league system. The Bucs haven’t had much success developing international talent into Major League regulars, but Florentino has attributes that make him appealing as an emerging prospect.

It will still be years before anyone knows whether or not he can be a quality MLB player, but Florentino is a candidate to ascend up prospects list in 2025.

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