Pirates fans are learning Esmerlyn Valdez hype was never loud enough

For all the attention given to the Pirates’ young core, Esmerlyn Valdez still arrived in Pittsburgh feeling more like an intriguing power bat than a full-blown must-watch piece of the future. That probably needs to change now.

In just over two weeks, the 22-year-old has gone from exciting call-up to one of the most fascinating hitters on the roster, and his weekend against the Cincinnati Reds made it impossible to keep treating his emergence like a small-sample curiosity.

Valdez loudly announced himself Sunday afternoon, launching a 461-foot home run in a 9-4 win over the Reds at PNC Park. It was his third straight game with a homer, his fifth long ball in just 42 big-league at-bats and one of the longest home runs hit by a Pirates hitter at PNC Park in the Statcast era.

Through his first 15 career games, Valdez owns a 1.001 OPS. Since 1950, the only Pirates players with a higher OPS through their first 15 career games, with at least 45 plate appearances, are Austin Meadows and Barry Bonds. That is absurd company for a 22-year-old who had played only 51 games at Double-A Altoona and 56 more at Triple-A Indianapolis before reaching the majors.

And yet, Valdez doesn't look overwhelmed. That might be the most important part of all.

Esmerlyn Valdez announced his arrival in a big way by homering in 3 straight games vs Reds

Tyler Callihan said Valdez has power like he has never seen before. Ryan O’Hearn joked he has never hit a ball like Valdez’s 461-foot blast in his life. But manager Don Kelly pointed out something just as important: Valdez is not just selling out for homers.

He doubled in a run Sunday. He singled. He walked. Then, when he got a pitch he could drive, he unloaded on it.

Valdez isn't some all-or-nothing slugger hoping to run into one. He looks like a real hitter with game-changing power attached. Since his June 11 recall, he is slashing .346/.370/.808, with six of his nine hits going for extra bases. Over the weekend against Cincinnati alone, he had six hits and homered in all three games.

For a Pirates lineup that has spent years searching for impact bats, Valdez’s emergence should feel like a very big deal. This is a young, powerful, confident hitter who brings more than just one carrying tool. He proved himself in the minors. He dominated the Arizona Fall League. Now he's showing that the production can translate against big-league pitching.

The Pirates have spent a lot of time talking about their future. Valdez is making that future feel a lot closer.