Pirates slugger Esmerlyn Valdez joins North Shore Nine fresh off an incredible 2025 season that saw him named South Atlantic League MVP and selected to the Futures Game.

Valdez talks about his breakout power surge, hitting 26 home runs between Greensboro and Altoona, what clicked for him at the plate, and how it felt to represent the Pirates among the game’s top prospects. We also dive into his approach to hitting lefties, his continued growth in Double-A, and what he’s focusing on as he looks ahead to 2026.

One of the most exciting young bats in the system—this is the full story behind Esmerlyn Valdez’s rise to Pirates stardom.

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