Rafael Flores Jr. - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Optioned to minors The Pirates optioned Flores to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

Impact The 25-year-old was looking to make Pittsburgh's Opening Day roster but struggled throughout spring training, going 2-for-25 with 10 strikeouts and six walks in 14 games. Flores made his MLB debut with seven appearances for Pittsburgh last year and could rejoin the big club in 2026 if depth at first base or catcher is needed.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Struggling in spring Flores has gone 2-for-25 with 10 strikeouts during Grapefruit League games.

Impact Flores is vying for a roster spot as a second catcher alongside Henry Davis, with Joey Bart being his primary competition. Neither has made much of an impression, as Bart has struck out 13 times across 31 at-bats with only five hits. Flores made his major-league debut to close 2025 but had only 17 plate appearances.

MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates have 40-man roster decisions to make on these 7 prospects For the Pirates to be successful, they’re always going to need a steady supply of talent from their farm system. Some top prospects were alr...

NOVEMBER 14, 2025 • MLB.COM

Reaches base twice in debut Flores went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk Wednesday against the Cubs.

Impact Flores was acquired by the Pirates as the primary return for David Bednar at the trade deadline and made his debut Wednesday. He filled in at first base with a lefty on the mound, and he hit a double to straightaway center field in the third inning for his first big-league hit. Flores will likely continue to find his way into the lineup as he auditions for a potential roster spot in 2026.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Making MLB debut at first base Flores is starting at first base and batting eighth in Wednesday's game versus the Cubs.

Impact Flores was summoned from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday and will make his major-league debut Wednesday. The Pirates started Henry Davis at catcher Tuesday and are going with Joey Bart at catcher Wednesday, so it doesn't appear they intend to give Flores extended run behind the plate down the stretch, but he will get his feet wet at first base.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Call to Majors gives Bucs' No. 8 prospect sweaty hands of the best kind PITTSBURGH -- Rafael Flores was getting ready for his game against the Gwinnett Stripers when he got a text message from his manager at Trip...

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • MLB.COM

Pirates promote Rafael Flores, acquired in David Bednar trade. What does the move mean? The Pirates have selected the contract of catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores from Triple-A Indianapolis, the team announced Tuesday afterno...

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Summoned to big leagues The Pirates selected Flores' contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Acquired from the Yankees on July 31, Flores has slashed .280/.354/.470 with 22 home runs and six stolen bases over 133 games between the Double- and Triple-A levels this season. The 24-year-old has primarily been used at catcher but also has plenty of experience playing first base. With Henry Davis and Joey Bart both having disappointed this season, the Pirates could give Flores a look behind the plate down the stretch.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Called up by Pirates The Pirates selected Flores' contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Acquired from the Yankees in the David Bednar trade, Flores has slashed .280/.354/.470 with 22 home runs and six stolen bases over 133 games between the Double- and Triple-A levels this season. The 24-year-old is primarily a catcher but also has plenty of experience playing first base. With Henry Davis and Joey Bart both disappointing this season, the Pirates could give Flores at look at catcher down the stretch.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates select contract of C/1B Rafael Flores, acquired from Yankees in David Bednar trade Rafael Flores, the player acquired in the David Bednar trade, has joined the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates selected the contract of the 24...

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • TRIBLIVE.COM

Pirates' marquee trade deadline addition still has one glaring flaw amid hot streak The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired catching prospect Rafael Flores as the headliner in the David Bednar deal, and arguably the best prospect th...

AUGUST 31, 2025 • RUMBUNTER.COM

New Pirates trade addition's take on leaving Yankees only raises more questions Player development is a major problem for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the route to the issues is clear now that Rafael Flores exposed somethi...

AUGUST 21, 2025 • RUMBUNTER.COM

From Anaheim to Alaska, Pirates prospect Rafael Flores focused on proving doubters wrong INDIANAPOLIS — With Yankees prestige and top prospect billing, it’s tough to believe Rafael Flores when he talks of the chip on his shoulder...

AUGUST 14, 2025 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Pirates farm report for Aug. 2, 2025: Tony Blanco Jr.'s walk-off homer seals Bradenton victory INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 63-42) took down Iowa (Cubs), 5-2. 1B Nick Solak (.366) was 2 for 5 with a two-run homer. DH Rafael Flores (.244), n...

AUGUST 3, 2025 • TRIBLIVE.COM

Pirates to trade Bednar for Yanks' No. 8 prospect and more (source) After much speculation about his future with the club, the Pirates traded David Bednar to the Yankees on Thursday, just hours ahead of the T...

JULY 31, 2025 • MLB.COM

Yankees overhaul bullpen at busy trade deadline with deals for Bednar, Doval and Bird

Fortifying their bullpen for the stretch run, the New York Yankees acquired All-Star relievers David Bednar and Camilo Doval in separate deals as they made a flurry of moves Thursd...

JULY 31, 2025 • Associated Press

Yankees Send Prospect Rafael Flores, 2 Others To Pirates For RHP David Bednar The Yankees dealt a trio of Top 30 prospects, including No. 8 Rafael Flores, to Pittsburgh for closer David Bednar.

JULY 31, 2025 • BASEBALLAMERICA.COM

Headlines Bednar return Flores was traded from the Yankees to the Pirates on Thursday along with two other prospects for David Bednar, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact This trade increases Flores' dynasty value, as he was unlikely to break through as a regular, catcher, first baseman or designated hitter in the Bronx but could have much better luck in Pittsburgh. A 24-year-old righty hitter and thrower, Flores was recently promoted to Triple-A and is slashing .279/.351/./475 with 16 home runs, a 9.8 percent walk rate and a 25.5 percent strikeout rate in 97 games, primarily at Double-A. He has seen the most action at catcher, but most public scouting reports suggest he would be a fringe-average or below-average defender behind the dish.

JULY 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Headlines Bednar return Flores was traded from the Yankees to the Pirates on Thursday along with two other prospects for David Bednar, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact This trade increases Flores' dynasty value, as he was unlikely to break through as a regular, catcher, first baseman or designated hitter in the Bronx, but he could pull that off in Pittsburgh. A 24-year-old righty hitter and thrower, Flores was recently promoted to Triple-A and is slashing .279/.351/./475 with 16 home runs, a 9.8 percent walk rate and a 25.5 percent strikeout rate in 97 games, primarily at Double-A. He has seen the most action at catcher, but most public scouting reports suggest he would be a below-average defender behind the dish.

JULY 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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JULY 31, 2025 • Associated Press

Moves up to Triple-A The Yankees promoted Flores from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Impact Flores has shined with Somerset this season, slashing .287/.346/.496 with 15 homers, 56 RBI and six stolen bases over 370 plate appearances. The 24-year-old's 25.4 percent strikeout rate isn't great, but he's managed to bat a healthy .283 in the minors since the start of 2024. Flores' eventual path to the majors could be as a right-handed bat to complement the left-handed Austin Wells at catcher.

JULY 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Bashes way to Double-A Flores slashed .274/.359/.519 with 15 home runs and six steals in 65 games for Double-A Somerset.

Impact Flores earned the bump to Double-A on June 26 after slashing .285/.403/.466 in 57 games for High-A Hudson Valley. His 33.2 percent hard-hit rate was very strong, and while Flores is a patient hitter, strikeouts will likely always be a part of the equation (25.7 K%, 70.2 Contact%). Flores started 44 games at catcher and 13 games at first base with the Patriots, and his defense behind the plate still needs a lot of work. Hitting right-handed is another factor that will make it difficult for Flores to break through as a regular, especially on a contender.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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