Esmerlyn Valdez hits his first home run in MLB
Toronto – Dominican youngster Esmerlyn Valdez had a memorable day this Sunday, hitting the first home run of his career in the Major Leagues. This milestone occurred during the game in which the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Toronto Blue Jays with a score of 4-1.
The 22-year-old outfielder hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning, sending the ball to the opposite field. In addition to his first home run, Valdez also got his first hit in the Majors, extending the Pirates’ lead at the Rogers Centre.
After completing his run through the bases, Valdez was greeted with the traditional “ice treatment” by his teammates in the dugout, a common welcoming gesture for rookies in MLB.
A curious moment occurred off the field. Reliever Justin Lawrence negotiated with the fan who caught the ball from the historic home run, managing to get it back in exchange for a bat autographed by Valdez himself.
Valdez, ranked as the number nine prospect of the Pirates according to MLB Pipeline, made his debut with the Pittsburgh team on Friday, after an outstanding performance in Triple A Indianapolis. In the latter, he accumulated 10 home runs and an OPS of .887 in 46 games during the season.
The Pittsburgh organization has high expectations for the offensive potential of the Dominican, who has experienced a rapid rise in the last year, thanks to his power with the bat and his outstanding performances in the minor leagues and in the Arizona Fall League.
Valdez’s home run was one of three connected by the Pirates in the victory over Toronto, a result that boosted the team’s offense after two less-than-stellar performances at the start of the series.
