Perrotto: Rafael Flores Believes He Could Provide What Pirates Need
PITTSBURGH — Only time will tell how Rafael Flores’ major-league career turns out.
However, one thing Flores has in abundance is charisma. The catcher/first baseman made a good first impression on his new manager, teammates, and even the media after being selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates from Triple-A Indianapolis before Tuesday night’s 4-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.
Flores is likely to make his major-league debut on Wednesday in the finale of the three-game series.
“The personality seemed really genuine, really personable, really cool to spend some time with him and get to talk to him,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said.
However, talking won’t help the Pirates’ offense. Flores needs to turn into a productive major-league hitter.
Not in the final 10 games of this season. Yet at some point, it would make a big difference if Flores turned into the type of power hitter that the Pirates would never be willing to pay in free agency.
Flores, one of the three prospects acquired from the New York Yankees for closer David Bednar at this year’s trade deadline, certainly looks the part of someone who would hit in the middle of the batting order. He is 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds.
“I think the thing that struck me, maybe with you, I didn’t realize how big he is for a catcher,” Kelly said.
Flores was a power hitter this season in the minor leagues. In 133 games at Triple-A and Double-A, the 24-year-old batted .280/.354/.470 with 22 home runs and 88 RBIs.
Flores homered 21 times in 124 games in 2024 between Double-A and High-A while slashing .279/.379/.495. The right-handed hitter, who is ranked as the Pirates’ ninth-best prospect by Baseball America, believes he has not fully tapped into his power.
“I think I haven’t fully peaked in my strength,” Flores said. “I know there’s still so much room in the weight room, and trying to get a consistent diet is a little tough. Now I’m going to be able to eat good every single day. The strength is going to stay throughout the year. I won’t really lose weight. It’s just going to be consistent. It’s super exciting.”
It’s always super exciting to eat. And it’s even more super exciting to be a power hitter.
However, the Pirates must eventually find a position for Flores. He will play both catcher and first base in the waning days of the season.
Catcher would seem the most straightforward path to playing time. Joey Bart and Henry Davis have struggled offensively this season, and Endy Rodriguez may no longer be the catcher of the future after undergoing two elbow surgeries in three years.
Spencer Horwitz has established himself as the Pirates’ regular first baseman after being acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays via the Cleveland Guardians in an offseason trade. Kelly makes it sound like Horwitz is likely to retain his spot in the lineup next season.
“I think when you see what he’s been able to do defensively, the adjustments he’s made and the growth at the plate to slow things down and get back to using the whole field and driving the ball,” Kelly said. “Just really impressed with how he’s been able to adjust throughout the season in a tough situation after a big trade and being hurt as well.”
In Flores’ perfect world, he would be a catcher.
“I have a lot of time behind the plate. I love catching. I also love first base,” Flores said. “I grew up playing shortstop – I mean, everybody did here. I grew up playing the infield. I trust my hands. As long as I’m in the lineup, I’ll play anywhere, but I love catching.”
Last in MLB with 107 home runs in 152 games, the Pirates would most love for Flores to hit balls over the fence.
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