Esmerlyn Valdez - Page 4 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Pirates bullpen makes deal, hands over signed bat in swap for rookie outfielder's first HR ball

What’s the cost of a milestone home run ball

MAY 25 • Associated Press

Another potential Pirates call-up who is tearing it up at Triple-A in 2026 The Pittsburgh Pirates promoted Esmerlyn Valdez from Triple-A, coaxing calls for Ronny Simón to join him in the majors.

MAY 24 • RUMBUNTER.COM

Hits first career homer Valdez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Impact Valdez launched his first career major-league home run off Chase Lee in the top of the sixth inning. It also marked the 22-year-old's first career hit, as he's gone just 1-for-8 through his first three games with the Pirates. While he's been substituted for twice, Valdez has started each game for the big club since making his debut Friday.

MAY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Esmerlyn Valdez hits first career home run as Pirates beat Blue Jays 4-1 to avoid sweep

Esmerlyn Valdez homered for his first career hit, Spencer Horwitz and Oneil Cruz also connected and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 to avoid a three-game swee...

MAY 24 • Associated Press

What Pirates fans should expect from Esmerlyn Valdez after surprise promotion Esmerlyn Valdez wasn't on anyone's radar this time last year, but a breakout 2025 and huge Arizona Fall League performance has earned the Pi...

MAY 23 • RUMBUNTER.COM

Esmerlyn Valdez, Wilber Dotel reinforce importance of Pirates' Latin American efforts TORONTO – Esmerlyn Valdez paused for a second and smiled wide, eventually nodding his head with an enormous amount of pride. The question wa...

MAY 22 • MLB.COM

Pirates call up red-hot prospect Esmerlyn Valdez, start him in right field at Toronto

The Pittsburgh Pirates recalled prospect Esmerlyn Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis after a recent hot streak and had him in the lineup in right field against Toronto

MAY 22 • Associated Press

Pirates Fans Get First Taste of Esmerlyn Valdez in MLB Debut PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates made the decision to call up an exciting prospect in Esmerlyn Valdez and now they'll give him his first...

MAY 22 • SI.COM

Hitting seventh in MLB debut Valdez will start in right field and bat seventh Friday in Toronto in his major-league debut.

Impact Valdez received his first big-league promotion after slashing .253/.381/.506 with 10 homers in 46 games with Triple-A Indianapolis this season. The 22-year-old is not guaranteed everyday playing time with the Pirates, so it would behoove him to get off to a good start.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Bucs call up slugging OF prospect Valdez (source) The Pirates are calling up outfield prospect Esmerlyn Valdez, a source told Pirates Insider Jason Mackey. The club has not confirmed the pro...

MAY 21 • MLB.COM

Promoted to big leagues The Pirates recalled Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Impact Valdez earned his first promotion to the majors after slashing .253/.381/.506 with 10 homers, 29 RBI and 25 runs scored over 194 plate appearances at Indianapolis. He's worked primarily as a right fielder throughout his minor-league career, making him a logical choice to fill in as Pittsburgh's right fielder while Ryan O'Hearn (quad) is on the injured list.

MAY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates dodge worst-case scenario after injury scare for rising slugger When rising outfield prospect Esmerlyn Valdez crumpled in pain after taking a pitch off the elbow on April 11 for Triple-A Indianapolis, it...

APRIL 13 • RUMBUNTER.COM

Esmerlyn Valdez looms as a powerful right-handed option for the Pirates | Sporting News Calling up the No. 10 prospect would make a lot of sense for the Buccos.

APRIL 9 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Dismissed from big-league camp The Pirates optioned Valdez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Impact Valdez was one of eight players dismissed from big-league camp in the Pirates' latest round of roster cuts. The Pirates added the 22-year-old corner outfielder to the 40-man roster over the winter after he slashed .286/.376/.520 with 26 home runs across 528 plate appearances between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona in 2025.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates land a Guerrero, part of one of the strongest international signing classes In back-to-back years, the Pirates landed Paul Skenes and Konnor Griffin, MLB’s current No. 1 overall prospect, in the first round of the do...

JANUARY 15 • MLB.COM

Pirates News: Esmerlyn Valdez, Paul Skenes Cy Young odds, 2026 schedule advantage Breakout Pirates prospect Esmerlyn Valdez is already winning over fans in Pittsburgh — and he hasn’t even arrived yet. The 21-year-old slugg...

JANUARY 14 • RUMBUNTER.COM

3 Pirates prospects most likely to be poached in Rule 5 Draft The Pittsburgh Pirates basically detonated their own 40-man roster to protect six Rule 5-eligible prospects — Esmerlyn Valdez, Wilber Dotel,...

DECEMBER 9, 2025 • RUMBUNTER.COM

Pirates lose underrated reliever prospect to Giants in sneaky signing The Pirates had a very exciting farm system in 2025, seeing Konnor Griffin blossom into a future star, Esmerlyn Valdez turn into a top slugg...

NOVEMBER 23, 2025 • RUMBUNTER.COM

Added to 40-man The Pirates selected Valdez's contract from Double-A Altoona on Tuesday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Impact Valdez split his time between High-A and Double-A ball in 2025, slashing .284/.375/.521 with 27 homers, 87 RBI and 76 runs scored between the two levels. His impressive performance will grant him a place on Pittsburgh's 40-man roster heading into the 2026 campaign, but he's likely to begin the year at Double-A Altoona or Triple-A Indianapolis.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates keep dodging the one decision fans are begging for Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Esmerlyn Valdez, who surged in 2025 with emerging power and better contact quality, sits squarely in the Rule 5...

NOVEMBER 13, 2025 • RUMBUNTER.COM

Bumped to Double-A Valdez is batting .182 with zero home runs and an 8:4 K:BB in 10 games since getting promoted from High-A Greensboro to Double-A Altoona on July 1.

Impact A righty-hitting corner bat who won't offer much defensive value, Valdez slashed .303/.385/.592 with 20 home runs, a 9.9 percent walk rate and a 24.5 percent strikeout rate in 72 games at High-A prior to his promotion. His 172 wRC+ ranks second among all qualified High-A hitters, behind Josue Briceno (180 wRC+). As a 21-year-old bat-first player, Valdez will be expected to do plenty of damage at Double-A over the rest of the season.

JULY 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates Pipeline: The different paths Konnor Griffin and Esmerlyn Valdez took to the 2025 Futures Game On July 12, baseball’s top prospects will be in Atlanta, representing their organizations in the 2025 MLB Futures Game. The hope is that in...

JULY 6, 2025 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

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Pirates bullpen makes deal, hands over signed bat in swap for rookie outfielder's first HR ball

Esmerlyn Valdez hits first career home run as Pirates beat Blue Jays 4-1 to avoid sweep

Pirates call up red-hot prospect Esmerlyn Valdez, start him in right field at Toronto