Yardbarker
x
Esmerlyn Valdez makes history in multiple ways with latest HR
Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Pirates' Esmerlyn Valdez makes history in multiple ways with latest HR

By Mike J. Asti  |  Last updated Jul 20, 2026 11:44 PM ET
Google Add us as a preferred source on Google

Despite falling to secure a much-needed win on Monday night, a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates' red-hot offense made his rookie season historic in multiple ways.

Esmerlyn Valdez, again playing right field after he made his MLB debut at the beginning of the month on July 1, went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs and a walk as the Pirates eventually lost 8-5 to the New York Yankees. 

Esmerlyn Valdez's most recent HR achieved Pirates history

Valdez's home run, which came in the third inning with one runner already on base, kept his long ball streak alive. He's now homered in three straight games dating back to Pittsburgh's series against the Guardians in Cleveland. 

But his home run extended another streak as well, one that's approaching a franchise record. Valdez is now tied for the second-longest stretch of consecutive games with at least one extra base hit and one RBI for the Pirates since 1920. 

Valdez has some elite company as he pursues a franchise record

With eight-straight such games, Valdez is now tied with Pirates icon Willie Stargell (1971) and Dale Long (1956) at eight and sitting only behind Paul Wanner (1927) and his 11.

Valdez moved up an all-time list

To make Valdez's debut month even more historic, he moved up an all-time list. The 22-year-old Dominican Republic native is tied with fellow first-year sensation Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox for the third most home runs ever hit in a player's first 32 MLB games. 

Rhys Hoskins owns the record after crushing 16 in 2027, and then Aristides Aquino is behind him, from time spread out over the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Valdez has been one of the hottest players across MLB in July

In those 32 games and 108 official at-bats, Valdez has 13 home runs, 34 RBIs, 33 hits, 24 runs scored, seven doubles and an impressive slash line of .306/.377/.750, a staggering clip for any player over a similar period, let alone a rookie. 

So at the end of the day, even though the Pirates want wins above all else, Valdez's historic July has become another reason 2026 feels different for Pittsburgh and is a sign of a turn for the franchise for years to come. 

Mike J. Asti
X

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

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.