Get To Know Esmerlyn Valdez: 26 Homers, Futures Game, and What’s Next for the Pirates’ Power Bat

Valdez talks about his breakout power surge, hitting 26 home runs between Greensboro and Altoona, what clicked for him at the plate, and how it felt to represent the Pirates among the game’s top prospects. We also dive into his approach to hitting lefties, his continued growth in Double-A, and what he’s focusing on as he looks ahead to 2026.