Esmerlyn Valdez

ESMERLYN VALDEZ, CORNER OUTFIELDER
Born: January 27, 2004
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 181
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2021, Pittsburgh Pirates
How Acquired: International Free Agent
Country: Dominican Republic
Agent: N/A

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE
Valdez is an outfielder with good size whose primary asset is power.  His defense and arm could be average.

2021
DSL:  248/355/426, 129 AB, 8 2B, 5 HR, 16 BB, 39 K, 3-4 SB

Valdez got off to a slow start, with a .623 OPS in July, but followed that with .873 in August and .822 in September.  He divided his time in the field between left and right.

2022
R:  232/371/394, 99 AB, 7 2B, 3 HR, 18 BB, 29 K, 0-1 SB

Valdez moved up to the FCL, where he divided his time between left, right and first.  He hit decently overall, with some power, and he improved after the early season.  Valdez had a monthly OPS, starting in June, of .407, .976 and .892.

Valdez won’t turn 19 until a couple months before the 2023 season.  Surprisingly, he was not on a full-season roster when the season started.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2023: Minor League Contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2021
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2027
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: 2025
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
January 15, 2021: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.