Pirates Top Prospect Features in AFL All-Star Game

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates had one of their best prospects feature in a game amongst some of the top talent in the future of baseball.

Esmerlyn Valdez represented the Pirates for National League in the annual Fall Stars Game at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. on Nov. 9, featuring the best prospects in the Arizona Fall League.

How did Esmerlyn Valdez Do in the Fall Stars Game?

Valdez started for the National League in right field and surprisingly, played the entire game, the only player on his team that didn't come out.

He walked to lead off the top of the second inning and made it to third base on a single from catcher Owen Ayers. He then got tagged out at home on a fielder's choice on the next at-bat, which kept the game scoreless.

Valdez grounded out in the fourth inning and popped out in the sixth inning, before singling with two outs in the eighth inning, which didn't turn into any runs scored, as pinch-hitter Alfred Duno grounded into a double play.

Esmerlyn Valdez Excelling in Arizona Fall League

Valdez has dominated during his time in the Arizona Fall League with the Salt River Rafters, serving as one of the best hitters, which earned him the All-Star nod.

He has slashed .370/.519/.870 for an OPS of 1.389 in 18 games, with 20 hits in 54 at-bats, three doubles, eight home runs, 26 RBIs and 19 walks to 12 strikeouts.

Valdez leads the Arizona Fall League in home runs, three more than the next two players in Scottsdale Scorpions catcher Chris Suero and third baseman Kevin McGonigle at five home runs. 

He also ranks first in slugging percentage and RBIs, second in OPS, tied for second in walks, fourth in on-base percentage, tied for seventh in runs scored and eighth in batting average.

Valdez earned Arizona Fall League Hitter of the Week for Week 2, slashing .615/.727/1.846 for an outstanding 2.573 OPS, with five home runs, 11 RBIs, seven walks and 24 total bases. 

He led the Arizona Fall League in home runs, slugging percentage, OPS and total bases, tied for the lead with eight hits, while ranking second in batting average, on-base percentage, RBIs and walks. 

Valdez reached base in 15 of his 24 plate appearances and had his best game of the season vs. the Desert Dogs on Oct. 19, where he hit two home runs and finished with four RBIs in the 11-3 win for the Rafters. 

He also suffered a wrist injury, but only missed three games, before returning back to play for Salt River.

Valdez also represented the Pirates at the Arizona Fall League Home Run Derby, alongside fellow prospect in Tony Blanco Jr. on Nov. 8.

Valdez finished second in the competition with 16 home runs, as Blanco won it with 24 home runs.

Valdez has Breakout Campaign in 2025

There aren't many Pirates prospects that had a better season than Valdez did in 2025, moving him up to the 15th ranking in the farm system, according to MLB Pipeline. 

He started at High-A Greensboro this season, serving as one of the best prospects in the South Atlantic League. He slashed .303/.385/.592 for an OPS of .977 in 72 games, with 84 hits, 18 doubles, one triple, 20 home runs, 57 RBIs and 31 walks to his 77 strikeouts.

Valdez led the South Atlantic League in seven statistical categories at the time of his promotion to Double-A Altoona on July 1, including hits, home runs, RBIs, batting average, slugging percentage and OPS, plus ranking tied for first in doubles and 11th in on-base percentage, which earned him South Atlantic League MVP honors at the end of the season.

His play also put him in the Futures Game, featuring the best prospects in baseball. He and Altoona teammate Konnor Griffin, the top prospect in baseball, represented the Pirates and played for the National League.