Esmerlyn Valdez may have had a short first stint in the Major Leagues, but he showed signs of what could be to come for the Pirates outfield.
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Valdez made his MLB debut on May 22 against the Toronto Blue Jays and reached base on a walk.
He didn’t record his first career hit until two days later, notching it in style.
The 22-year-old power hitter smashed his first-career home run on Sunday, a two-run shot off Chase Lee. Valdez displayed opposite field power and helped the Bucs to a 4-1 victory and salvaged one game in the three-game set.
Valdez homered again two days later against the Chicago Cubs, his first long ball at PNC Park.
That home run was even more impressive, taking Jordan Wicks deep to the Cubs’ bullpen in the first inning.
.@Valdezesmerlyn7's first homer at PNC Park with his family watching. 🥹
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 26, 2026
415 feet into the bullpen pic.twitter.com/ekv3NEpex2
Valdez became the seventh Pirate in the Modern Era (since 1901) to hit two home runs in their first four career games.
The last to do so? Former first-rounder and top prospect Austin Meadows in 2018, who was dealt at the trade deadline to Tampa Bay in a package for pitcher Chris Archer.
Meadows was the first to achieve the feat since Dick Stuart in 1958. Valdez joined Meadows, Stuart, RC Stevens (1958), Dino Restelli (1949), Wally Westlake (1947), and Walter Mueller (1922), per Luke Henne of Pirates PR.
Valdez was sent back to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday. With Konnor Griffin dealing with a low-grade muscle strain in his forearm, the Pirates recalled infielder Tyler Callihan and demoted Valdez to create room on the roster.
In 16 at-bats, Valdez only hit .125. He earned two home runs and five RBIs in a small sample and displayed the immense power he has in his frame.
Valdez hit 10 doubles and 10 home runs in the minor leagues before being recalled.
The No. 9 overall prospect in the Pirates system also has pro experience playing at first base.
This is likely not the last we hear of Valdez this season, and his rapid rise through the minors.
Pittsburgh continues to fight through a tough NL Central race, with all five teams over .500 on Saturday.