Ever since he started playing baseball, Esmerlyn Valdez’s favorite player has been José Bautista. More specifically, the legendary bat flip he tossed after his pivotal home run of the 2015 ALDS, a moment he dare not try to recreate.
“They’ll take me out of the game if I do that,” Valdez joked over Zoom last week, via interpreter Juan Guerra.
There are some similarities between the Pirates’ prospect and the retired outfielder. Both are Dominican outfielders. While Valdez doesn’t bat flip on the field, his social media presence is an extension of his joyous approach to the game, celebrating his teammates, organization and each of the 26 home runs he hit between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona.
And like they did with Bautista a couple of decades ago, the Pirates enter this winter needing to make a roster decision with Valdez. Do they add him to the 40-man roster, or do they expose him to the Rule 5 Draft?
If the Pirates don’t protect him, it seems likely someone will take a flyer on their MLB Pipeline-ranked No. 15 prospect. This past season looked like a breakout campaign, as he cut his strikeout rate by six points (30.6 percent in Single-A Bradenton, 24.6 percent in 2025) while slashing a healthy .286/.376/.520. It was a performance that earned him the organization’s Willie Stargell Slugger of the Year during its Minor League awards.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, his showing in the Arizona Fall League certainly has been. He’s gone deep eight times, the most of any player in the desert. He’ll get another chance to show off that pop Saturday as part of the League’s Home Run Derby. Pirates No. 30 prospect Tony Blanco Jr. will join him.
“I wanted to thank the Pirates for the opportunity of being in the Fall League, so I want to represent the Pirates and represent myself and want people to remember my name,” Valdez said.
Right now, the safer bet is that Valdez has his contract selected and is added to the roster. With that said, there is a level of risk assumed whenever a team gives a roster spot to someone who hasn’t played above Double-A.
Assuming he shows he is Major League ready next year, there are a couple ways Valdez could potentially fit into next year’s team. The Pirates need to pick up at least one outfielder this winter, but he could at least be depth until an opportunity arises. Valdez could also play some first base. Spencer Horwitz mashed right-handers last year (.283 batting average, .813 OPS), but struggled against southpaws in his limited sample size (.186 average, .593 OPS). Valdez could take some reps there to have the platoon advantage.
Of course, it’s a pretty bold assumption to pencil a player into a theoretical Major League lineup when they have yet to reach Triple-A. Valdez started slow after his midseason promotion to Altoona, but closed the year strong after he adjusted to the higher talent level. That is understandable, if not expected.
So when could he be ready for Pittsburgh? Director of coaching and player development Michael Chernow believes “you can never have enough at-bats,” but that is more a general thought than for Valdez in particular. He was impressed with the growth Valdez showed this last year — especially in areas where they challenged him, like making more contact — so it’s really going to come down to what the outfielder shows.
“I think just generally, you want to see guys play as much as possible because it is such a hard game to play and that transition to the big leagues, it’s such a big jump for these guys going from Indy to the big leagues,” Chernow said over Zoom last week. “And I think for those two [Valdez and Konnor Griffin] in particular, everyone’s journey is different. Some guys need more than others.
“The way that I think about it is just assessing day by day, is the level that they’re currently at is the appropriate level for challenge for them, and are they being challenged enough to continue their development the way that we want to, and sort of let the player answer that for us.”
As for Valdez, he’s preparing like Pittsburgh is in his sights for 2026.
“I feel like I’m ready,” Valdez said. “I’m putting the work in. If the team decides to give me the opportunity, I’m gonna be ready whenever they call my name.”
