Baseball

Pirates Call Up Power Hitter Esmerlyn Valdez Ahead of Blue Jays Series

by
Carlos Ramirez
May 21, 2026

The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to elevate one of their most promising power hitters, first baseman and outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez, to the Major Leagues. Valdez is expected to join the team in Toronto on Friday as they gear up for a three-game series against the Blue Jays. The news of Valdez’s promotion was first reported by BBWAA member Francys Romero.

Ranked as the ninth-best prospect in the Pirates’ system by MLB Pipeline, Valdez has been tearing up Triple-A pitching this season. In 46 games, he posted a .253 batting average, alongside 10 doubles and 10 home runs, marking a strong debut at the highest level of the minor leagues. He also drove in 29 runs and demonstrated impressive plate discipline with 33 walks against 41 strikeouts.

At just 22 years old, Valdez has already amassed 58 home runs over the past three seasons. His power surge includes 22 home runs during the 2024 campaign with Single-A Bradenton and 26 between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona last year. MLB Pipeline regards him as possessing a 60-grade power tool, a testament to his potential as a significant offensive contributor.

Valdez’s promotion comes as the Pirates look to enhance their lineup, which has already surpassed last season’s total of 50 home runs after hitting just 117 all of last year. In a corresponding move, the Pirates have demoted outfielder Billy Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis, as reported by Jośe Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports.

Additionally, the Pirates recently promoted their No. 4 prospect, outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, at the onset of the Cardinals series, following an injury to Ryan O’Hearn. Garcia made an immediate impact, recording three hits in his first nine at-bats and securing his first career RBI during Wednesday’s victory.

As the Pirates prepare to face the Blue Jays, they will send Bubba Chandler, Paul Skenes, and Bubba Chandler to the mound, aiming to build on their recent success.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Carlos Ramirez

Carlos Ramirez is a passionate sports journalist with a focus on soccer and baseball. His love for the game is evident in every article, where he combines detailed analysis with vibrant storytelling. Carlos’s multicultural background allows him to bring a fresh, global perspective to 21Sports.com, making his pieces resonate with a diverse audience. When not covering sports, Carlos enjoys playing in local soccer leagues and exploring new travel destinations.