Pirates’ Esmerlyn Valdez Aims To Take Control In 2025
Esmerlyn Valdez parlayed a Florida State League-best 22 home runs in 2024 with Low-A Bradenton into an appearance in the second annual Spring Breakout, where he picked up one of four hits for the Pirates.
It’s an experience the corner outfielder/first baseman will not soon forget.
“Happy for the opportunity to play in the Breakout,” he said through interpreter Juan Guerra. “Happy the Pirates gave me the opportunity to play. It is something I’m going to keep in my mind for the rest of my life, for the rest of my career.”
It was an earned opportunity. Valdez was one of four Pirates minor league players to hit at least 20 home runs and was by far the youngest. He’ll play the entire 2025 season at 21 years old and is already putting up exit velocity numbers befitting of an established major leaguer.
The righthanded-hitting Dominican has legitimate power in his bat, something that’s rare in the Pirates’ system.
There’s still work to be done, Valdez admitted, more so with making more consistent contact. He struck out 133 times last year in 107 games with Bradenton, a 30.5% rate. The main struggle has been with sliders, which was the focus of offseason work in each of the last two winters.
Valdez believes he’s ready to take that step, not just with sliders but with his production overall. He felt he did a good job facing them this spring and is more prepared to see them at High-A Greensboro this season.
When it comes to taking that next step in his development, the goal is simple.
“Not only for this season, but for the rest of my career, it’s to have better control of the strike zone, to make good swings,” Valdez said, “and to keep working so I can accomplish everything in my career.”
