Esmerlyn Valdez has been busy answering questions regarding his roster status in the Arizona Fall League, mashing three home runs in four games for the Salt River Rafters.

If this continues, two additional questions should follow.

Can this kid help the major league club?

And how soon?

As much attention as Konnor Griffin has received — every ounce of it deserved — Valdez continues to remind there’s another Pirates prospect who made a lightning-quick jump in 2025.

Valdez was relatively anonymous after his first full season of affiliated ball in 2024. Not so much now after he hit .286 with an .898 OPS across two levels (finishing at Double-A Altoona), the 21-year-old compiling 26 home runs, 25 doubles and 86 RBIs.

“I worked very hard for this,” Valdez said shortly after his July 2 promo

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