{"id":1218,"date":"2026-05-22T23:35:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T23:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=1218"},"modified":"2026-05-22T23:35:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T23:35:26","slug":"pirates-call-up-red-hot-prospect-esmerlyn-valdez-start-him-in-right-field-at-toronto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=1218","title":{"rendered":"Pirates call up red-hot prospect Esmerlyn Valdez, start him in right field at Toronto"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
FILE – Pittsburgh Pirates\u2019 Esmerlyn Valdez plays during a spring training baseball game, Feb. 22, 2026, in Clearwater, Fla. (AP Photo\/Matt Slocum, File)<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

TORONTO \u2014 The Pittsburgh Pirates recalled prospect Esmerlyn Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis after a recent hot streak and had him in the lineup in right field Friday night for their game at Toronto.<\/p>

Read more Si Woo Kim just misses history at Byron Nelson, settling for 60 after a bogey on the final hole<\/a><\/p>\n

Valdez, 22, hit five home runs in the last five games and was batting .355 with seven extra-base hits, 10 RBIs, a .903 slugging percentage and 1.315 OPS in his last eight.<\/p>\n

Valdez hit .253 with 10 homers, 10 doubles and 29 RBIs in 46 games with Indianapolis this season. He also has 33 walks.<\/p>

Read more Anthony Volpe to start practicing at second base after Jos\u00e9 Caballero returns to shortstop<\/a><\/p>\n

The right-handed hitter is the organization\u2019s No. 9 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. He led Pittsburgh\u2019s minor league system with 26 home runs last season and represented the club at the All-Star Futures Game.<\/p>\n

Valdez was signed by Pittsburgh as a nondrafted free agent on Jan. 15, 2021.<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh optioned outfielder Billy Cook to Indianapolis following Thursday\u2019s game at St. Louis.<\/p>

Read more Culture wars vie with GOP economic message at Trump rally in New York<\/a><\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP MLB: https:\/\/apnews.com\/MLB<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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