Pirates Rookie Making MLB Debut vs. Cubs

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates head into their series finale with the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park with a rookie making his MLB debut.

Rafael Flores starts at first base for the Pirates and bats eighth, which marks the first time he will play at the MLB level.

The Pirates called Flores up from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sept. 16, sending infielder Liover Peguero back down as the corresponding move to make room on the 28-man roster.

He played in 36 games with Indianapolis, slashing .281/.363/.459 for an OPS of .822, with 38 hits in 135 at-bats, four doubles, one triple, six home runs, 28 RBIs and 15 walks to 41 strikeouts.

Flores started 21 games at catcher, seven games at first base and then eight games at catcher, where he'll have chances to play at both positions at the MLB level.

The Pirates acquired Flores on July 31, as a part of the trade that sent right-handed relief pitcher David Bednar to the New York Yankees. Fellow catcher/first baseman Edgleen Perez and outfielder Brian Sanchez came along with Flores in the trade to the Pirates from the Yankees.

He began his 2025 season with Double-A Somerset, slashing .287/.346/.496 for an OPS of .842, with 96 hits, 23 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs, 56 RBIs and 30 walks to 94 strikeouts.

Flores earned promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on July 19 and slashed .211/.388/.289 for an OPS of .677 in 10 games, with eight hits in 38 at-bats, a home run, four RBIs and 11 walks to 13 strikeouts.

He slashed .280/.354/.470 for an OPS of .824 in 133 games in the minor leagues, with 142 hits, 27 doubles, 22 home runs, 88 RBIs and 56 walks to 148 strikeouts.

Flores started 91 games at catcher, 23 games at designated hitter and 19 games at first base in the minors, with his 12 other starts at first base came at Somerset.

MLB Pipeline ranks Flores as the eighth best prospect in the Pirates' system and their best catcher/first baseman prospect.