Rafael Flores Planning for More Than Just Results in First Taste of Big Leagues
PITTSBURGH – One of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ better position prospects arrived for the first time at PNC Park on Tuesday afternoon.
Rafael Flores, who ranks as the organization’s No. 9 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, had his contract selected from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Though he’s not in the Pirates’ lineup, Flores was beaming outside of his locker when speaking to the media.
“Crazy. I’m on two hours of sleep but we’re here and it’s awesome,” Flores said on what it’s been like since receiving the news. “The place is amazing. First time here, and I’m all smiles right now. It’s great.”
Flores, 24, was acquired by the Pirates from the New York Yankees as part of a three-player package for two-time All-Star closer David Bednar at the trade deadline.
“So it was just weird because we got rain-delayed and the game was canceled, so I was marinating in all that stuff,” Flores said of what that day was like. “It was just weird but it all happens and once it all happens, it’s a sigh of relief and you kind of know where you’re going. It was a crazy day but we got through it and we’re here now so that’s all that matters.”
Flores spent the bulk of the season with Somerset, the Double-A Affiliate of the Yankees and hit .287 with an .841 OPS, 23 doubles, a triple, 15 home runs and 56 RBI in 87 games.
New York promoted the native of Anaheim, Calif., shortly before dealing him to the Pirates. After the trade, Pittsburgh assigned Flores to Triple-A Indianapolis, where the right-handed hitter slashed .281/.363/.459 with four doubles, a triple, six home runs and 28 RBI in 36 games.
After struggling some early, Flores settled in and hit .326 with a .969 OPS, six home runs and 23 RBI over his last 23 games.
“Getting traded definitely was a little weird. It’s something you’re not really taught to do,” he explained. “You kind of just have to go through it and I think it was all a benefit for me. I got here and I was uncomfortable. I used that uncomfortable feeling to my benefit. I’ve continued to just swing it and like I said, stay healthy. I feel like that’s my biggest strength, staying healthy and being able to play every day. It’s been a crazy year.”
As a player who was going to need to get added to the 40-man roster this offseason to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft, it’s logical for the Pirates to promote Flores now.
“He’s going to be protected in the offseason for sure,” manager Don Kelly explained. “And to get him up here and get him the experience of being in the big leagues, the emotions that come with that, to be able to have two weeks here to get into the meetings, get into games, get that, you know, ‘the firsts’ out of the way and to be able to see him, see what he can do at the big league level. He’s had a good year so far in Double-A and in Triple-A, especially at Indianapolis, he’s made some adjustments and really excited to add him into the mix here.”
Kelly mentioned that Flores will get chances at catcher and first base – the two positions he’s played during his minor-league career.
Though Flores is not in the Pirates’ lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Cubs, Flores appears likely to debut on Wednesday afternoon. If he does indeed step onto the field for the first time in the series finale, his first game will be against the team he grew up a fan of.
“I don’t know. I’m just speechless. The fact that they’re here is crazy,” said Flores, who credits Alfonso Soriano for his allegiance to the Cubs. “It’s just too good to be true.”
Though the Pirates only have 11 games left on their schedule, the team will get a chance to get eyes on someone they’re hoping can turn around their offensive woes heading into next season.
Given his minor-league track record and status, Flores does have a chance to be a key piece of the Pirates’ future lineup, but he’s hoping to show even more than that in his first taste of the big leagues.
“I think everybody knows numbers-wise what I’m capable of,” he said. “I think I just want to show my personality, show who I really am. I’m going to come here and play full – happy, smile, really show who I am on the field. I think I just want to maintain that throughout the year.”
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