| Esmerlyn Valdez | |
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 85 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born:January 27, 2004 San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
Esmerlyn Valdez (born January 27,2004) is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB).
On January 15,2021,Valdez signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization as an international free agent. [1] He made his professional debut with the Dominican Summer League Pirates. Valdez played in 33 games for the rookie-level Florida Complex League Pirates in 2022,slashing .232/.371/.394 with three home runs and 20 RBI. [2]
Valdez split the 2023 season between the FCL Pirates and Single-A Bradenton Marauders. In 48 appearances for the two affiliates,he hit a cumulative .304/.374/.503 with six home runs,36 RBI,and three stolen bases. [3] Valdez spent the 2024 campaign with the Single-A Bradenton Marauders,playing in 107 games and batting .226/.352/.464 with career-highs in home runs (22),RBI (61),and stolen bases (4). [4]
Valdez began the 2025 season with the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers,hitting .303/.385/.592 with 20 home runs and 57 RBI over 72 games. He was selected to represent the Pirates organization at the 2025 All-Star Futures Game. [5] On June 30,2025,Valdez was promoted to the Double-A Altoona Curve. [6] He made 51 appearances for Altoona,slashing .260/.363/.409 with six home runs and 29 RBI. On November 18,the Pirates added Valdez to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. [7]