Esmerlyn Valdez
21-Year-Old
2025 Stats
AVG
.000
HR
0
RBI
0
R
0
SB
0
2026 Projections
2026 Fantasy Outlook
Valdez clubbed 26 homers in 123 games across High-A and Double-A before hammering eight long balls in 19 Arizona Fall League games to cap his breakout campaign. The righty-hitting slugger who turns 22 this offseason is limited to left field and first base, so he'll need to really rake to get everyday playing time. Valdez had 19 walks and 12 strikeouts in the hitter-friendly AFL, and his contact rate and swinging-strike rate improved after his bump from High-A to Double-A, so he may be getting better as a pure hitter. He could be a 30-homer hitter who bats fourth or fifth for the Pirates and is just a slight batting average and OBP liability in fantasy, but he may spend most or all of 2026 honing his hitting chops in the upper levels of the minors. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a contract with the Pirates in January of 2021.
Added to 40-man
The Pirates selected Valdez's contract from Double-A Altoona on Tuesday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Analysis
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.
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.
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More Fantasy News
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.
Analysis
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Looking great in AFL
Valdez is one of several prospects who have stood out in the Arizona Fall League, according to Keith Law of The Athletic.
Analysis
Valdez routinely made hard contact and was able to showcase his power against high velocity. He can hit for both power and average, according to Law, who rated him as "the best offensive performer I saw" in the AFL. Valdez is projected to play either as a first baseman or left fielder once he reaches the majors, so his value will come almost entirely from what he can do at the plate.
Valdez routinely made hard contact and was able to showcase his power against high velocity. He can hit for both power and average, according to Law, who rated him as "the best offensive performer I saw" in the AFL. Valdez is projected to play either as a first baseman or left fielder once he reaches the majors, so his value will come almost entirely from what he can do at the plate.