Emergence of Esmerlyn Valdez
The Pirates system previously faced a significant issue with a lack of impactful hitting prospects before 2025.
Esmerlyn Valdez has emerged as a notable player to watch, bringing positive change to the team's hitting prospects.
Under General Manager Ben Cherington, the Pirates have successfully developed talented arms throughout the system.
However, until this season, they had not seen the same results with their offensive talent, with most top-end talent being on the mound.
This season has brought significant improvement, with offensive prospects making substantial leaps forward across the board.
Esmerlyn Valdez has come out of nowhere as a slugging stud worth watching.
Author's summary: Valdez emerges as a key hitting prospect for the Pirates.