Pirates breakout prospect has already earned Arizona Fall League honor

As the Pittsburgh Pirates front office gets to work this offseason on mapping out a sunnier future for the club under manager Don Kelly, it’s becoming impossible for Pittsburgh’s brass to ignore Esmerlyn Valdez. After taking a massive leap in 2025 that saw him make history in Double-A, Valdez has continued his dominance into October.

The 21-year-old outfield prospect for Pittsburgh has gotten off to a torrid start for the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League.

Esmerlyn Valdez is delighting Pirates fans with an explosive start in the Arizona Fall League

Valdez launched a 425-foot solo home run on October 7 in his Fall League debut. He then followed that up with a 414-foot solo bomb on October 8.

Valdez has also impressed with his plate discipline thus far in Arizona, drawing six walks and striking out only once. 

Anyone monitoring Valdez’s improvement over the past year might not be surprised by his current breakout. Valdez dominated at High-A Greensboro to begin the 2025 campaign, earning South Atlantic League MVP after slashing .303/ .385/ .592/ .977 with 20 homers and 57 RBI in 72 games.

Pittsburgh bumped Valdez up to Double-A Altoona on July 2. Valdez was still able to bag the South Atlantic League MVP despite his promotion, because he led the league in seven major statistical categories at the time he got called up. In 51 games for Altoona, Valdez tallied a .260/.363/.409/.772 line with six home runs and 29 RBI.

MLB.com’s Joe Trezza shouted out Valdez this week for his Fall League dominance, honoring Valdez by calling the outfielder one of the "top performers" in Arizona thus far.

“The 21-year-old Valdez was one of the Pirates' biggest risers this season, emerging as one of Double-A Altoona's top hitters and finishing with 26 homers and an .896 OPS between two levels,” Trezza wrote. “He's Rule 5 eligible and could therefore play himself onto the Pirates roster with a big Fall League, which already seems to be well underway. Valdez was one of two players to homer twice during the first week of play, also drawing a whopping six walks in three games.”

Valdez joined top MLB prospect Konnor Griffin in the MLB All-Star Futures Game in July.

For a franchise looking to get its mojo back after so many years of struggle, a player like Valdez could help matters with his bountiful power at the plate and untapped ceiling. If his hot fall continues on anything close to this trajectory, Valdez could be making his big-league debut at some point within the coming calendar year.