While nothing is ‘official’ yet, it looks like there is going to be quite a bit of roster shuffling within the Pirates’ system, mainly on the pitching side.
Again, why not Esmerlyn Valdez, 21, who, with Konnor Griffin, look like the two best hitters in the system right now. Valdez has 256 AB's at A+ with 18 doubles, 1 triple, and 19 HR, 1.014 OPS. At A as a 20 year old he had 358 AB with 17 doubles, 1 triple, and 22 HR, 815 OPS. So, a major improvement as he moved up. Prospects need to be advanced as quickly as their performance at a level indicates as much. This kid has shown the type of power that the Pirates always want to get, but they are always a day late or a dollar short. Let them tell you when they may be overmatched - until then, allow them to play themselves as far as their talent and confidence will take them!
Another player needing to be advanced to AA is LH hitting Catcher Omar Alfonzo. He is in his age 22 season, and in 218 AB this year at A+ he has 8 doubles, 11 HR, and an 840 OPS. In 2024 he had about 100 AB at A+ and an OPS above 800. There are 3 Catchers at AA who are 25 or older and I don't think any of them even has an OPS near 600. The Catchers below Alfonzo are also very good - Axiel Plaz, 20, at A, and Richard Ramirez, 20, in the FCL. They can all move up.
Again, why not Esmerlyn Valdez, 21, who, with Konnor Griffin, look like the two best hitters in the system right now. Valdez has 256 AB's at A+ with 18 doubles, 1 triple, and 19 HR, 1.014 OPS. At A as a 20 year old he had 358 AB with 17 doubles, 1 triple, and 22 HR, 815 OPS. So, a major improvement as he moved up. Prospects need to be advanced as quickly as their performance at a level indicates as much. This kid has shown the type of power that the Pirates always want to get, but they are always a day late or a dollar short. Let them tell you when they may be overmatched - until then, allow them to play themselves as far as their talent and confidence will take them!
Another player needing to be advanced to AA is LH hitting Catcher Omar Alfonzo. He is in his age 22 season, and in 218 AB this year at A+ he has 8 doubles, 11 HR, and an 840 OPS. In 2024 he had about 100 AB at A+ and an OPS above 800. There are 3 Catchers at AA who are 25 or older and I don't think any of them even has an OPS near 600. The Catchers below Alfonzo are also very good - Axiel Plaz, 20, at A, and Richard Ramirez, 20, in the FCL. They can all move up.
Preach it!
Looking forward to my next Toon Town Action Report when these guys come up!