Pirates Prospect Update: Esmerlyn Valdez promotion, Hunter Barco gem, Konnor Griffin

It has been a busy Monday for Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Esmerlyn Valdez. In addition to being named to the National League roster for this year's All-Star Futures game, the slugging outfielder earned a promotion from High-A Bradenton to Double-A Altoona.

Valdez, who is not even one of the Pirates' Top 30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, is tied for second among all full-season minor league players with 20 home runs. He also ranks third among minor leaguers in total bases (164), tied for third in extra-base hits (39) and eighth in slugging (.592). His promotion comes alongside that of catcher Omar Alfonzo, who has also had a strong year in Greensboro.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said during Sunday's edition of his weekly radio show on 93.7 The Fan that Valdez was "knocking on the door for a promotion." Valdez currently leads the South Atlantic League in batting average (.303), hits (84), home runs, RBI (57), slugging, OPS (.977), extra-base hits and total bases, while also ranking tied for first in doubles (18) and tied for fourth in runs scored (46).

Joining Valdez at the All-Star Futures game July 12 at Truist Park will be Konnor Griffin, the Pirates' first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft who recently earned a midseason promotion of his own. In 17 games since his promotion from Single-A Bradenton to High-A Greensboro, has posted a scorching slash line of .358/.457/.567 with three home runs and eight multi-hit performances.

Griffin, the Pirates' top position player prospect according to MLB Pipeline, is slashing .343/.412/.544 across two levels of the Pirates' farm system this season, and he could be in line for yet another promotion before the end of the season if he continues to produce at this pace.

Pirates Prospect Update: Hunter Barco twirls another gem at Triple-A

Elsewhere in the Pirates' farm system, southpaw Hunter Barco has continued to impress at Triple-A Indianapolis since his return from the injured list earlier this month. The flame-throwing lefty took a no-hitter into the sixth inning Sunday against Omaha (Kansas City Royals), racking up seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of work.

Barco, the Pirates' No. 5 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, has allowed just one run in a combined 12 innings over his last two starts. In his previous outing on Tuesday, he threw six shutout innings, allowing five hits and striking out six. On the season, the 24-year-old has a 2.04 ERA with 74 strikeouts over 57 1/3 innings pitched.

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