Esmerlyn Valdez didn’t need long to win over Pirates fans at PNC Park.
The rookie outfielder launched a two-run homer in his first home plate appearance on May 26, putting the cap on a five-run first inning. He’d gotten his first taste of success the day before at Rogers Centre, where the 22-year-old clubbed his first MLB homer for his career hit.
Valdez has been in the lineup recently to help replace some of the production lost with Oneil Cruz on the injured list. And he’s making the most of it.
Monday’s performance against the Phillies was his best yet. Valdez turned on a 78-mph knuckle curve from Aaron Nola and drove it 411 feet for his sixth homer in just 16 career games. The two-run shot in the fourth inning pulled Pittsburgh within 5-2 and got the rally started.
More than that, it made history.
The homer marked Valdez’s fourth consecutive game with a long ball, making him the youngest player in Pirates franchise history to accomplish that feat. Not a bad way to announce yourself in the big leagues.
Pittsburgh completed the comeback with an 11-7 victory at Citizens Bank Park. Batting fifth, Valdez went 2-for-3 with two walks, two runs scored and an RBI, pushing his batting average to .289.
The rookie’s hot streak has put him in some exclusive company. Since 1900, Valdez became just the sixth player to hit at least four homers in his first 16 MLB games:
- 1968: Graig Nettles
- 2011: Jason Kipnis
- 2016: Trevor Story
- 2019: Aristides Aquino
- 2020: Bobby Dalbec (five straight games)
Sunday’s blast against the Reds created some drama beyond the numbers. Relief pitcher Pierce Johnson pointed and jawed in Valdez’s direction as the rookie rounded first base. In the Statcast era, that homer became the longest ever hit by a rookie at PNC Park, besting Aaron Judge’s 457-footer from 2017.
What makes this run even more impressive is how Valdez has adjusted. Scouting reports suggested the right-handed hitter had trouble making contact with upper-tier fastballs, but he’s clearly made changes to his approach.
Over his last six games entering Monday, Valdez handled just about any pitch thrown his way, slashing .500/.526/1.167.
It’s quite the turnaround from his early struggles. After opening his big league career with a .083 batting average through 10 games, Valdez wasted little time making up for that slow start.
The way he’s swinging the bat now, it’s hard to imagine him heading back to the minors anytime soon. Pittsburgh might have found something special in their young outfielder.
