Esmerlyn Valdez Drives in Five Runs For Double-A Altoona
Pirates slugger Esmerlyn Valdez set career highs in nearly every statistical category in 2025. He continued to impress on Tuesday, going 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, and five RBIs in Altoona’s Double-A Eastern League playoff game against Erie. The outfielder hit a solo shot in the second inning off Erie starter Garrett Burhenn, followed by a single that drove in two in the sixth and two-run double in the seventh. Valdez stuffed the box score on Tuesday and combined with teammate Konnor Griffin for six hits total. Valdez has power upside, but is likely an average division regular long term.
