Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela slugs first MLB HR

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela (59) is doused with an iced sports drink by teammates as they celebrate a win over the Minnesota Twins at Rogers Centre. Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Rookie Brandon Valenzuela slugs first MLB HR, powers Blue Jays to victory

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Apr 10, 2026 11:32 PM ET

Led by an unlikely slugger, the Toronto Blue Jays enjoyed their best offensive performance of the season so far on Friday night.

In a 10-4 win over the visiting Minnesota Twins, rookie catcher Brandon Valenzuela hit his first MLB home run as one of his two hits in the game.

Valenzuela, 25, who made his MLB debut on April 5, the day after being called up after starting the 2026 season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, crushed a home run with a runner on in the fourth inning.

Brandon Valenzuela's first MLB home run came in dramatic fashion

His first big fly also came with some added dramatics despite the eventual lopsided final result. The Blue Jays were trailing 4-3 when Valenzuela sent a pitch over the fence in right field, giving his team a one-run lead.

BRANDON BLAST

His FIRST @MLB home run! pic.twitter.com/YglRoRkizo
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 11, 2026

The Mexican-born switch-hitting catcher initially signed with the San Diego Padres as an amateur free agent in 2017. He spent eight years in the Padres' minor league system before being traded to the Blue Jays on July 31, 2025, in the middle of what became an American League pennant-winning season for Toronto.

Valenzuela has struggled to hit consistently in both MiLB and MLB

He made 26 appearances for the Bison in 2025, batting .207 with a .295 OBP and a .370 slug. Valenzuela hit three home runs and recorded 12 RBI in the minors, showing enough pop in his bat to warrant an opportunity in the Big Leagues.

Continuing his struggles until Friday night, Valenzuela was hitting just .125 with one single hit in eight at-bats in four games with the Blue Jays before breaking out against the Twins.

But still early in his career, it's possible that Valenzuela's big game leads to hits moving forward, maybe even more home runs.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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