Esmerlyn Valdez debuts with a home run in MLB
Toronto – Young Dominican Esmerlyn Valdez lived a dream day by hitting his first home run in the Major Leagues this Sunday. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder celebrated his feat in the 4-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.
In the sixth inning, Valdez hit a two-run home run that went over the opposite field, extending Pittsburgh’s lead at the Rogers Centre. In addition to the home run, the 22-year-old player also got his first hit in the MLB.
After crossing home, Valdez was greeted with the traditional “silent treatment” by his teammates in the dugout, a common custom in the Major Leagues to celebrate a player’s first home run.
A curious moment occurred off the field. Reliever Justin Lawrence negotiated with the fan who caught the ball from the historic home run and managed to get it back in exchange for a bat autographed by Valdez himself.
Valdez, prospect number nine of the Pirates according to MLB Pipeline, debuted on Friday with the Pittsburgh team. His arrival to the team comes after standing out in Triple A Indianapolis, where he accumulated 10 home runs and an OPS of .887 in 46 games this season.
The Pittsburgh organization has high expectations for the offensive potential of the Dominican, who has had a meteoric rise in the last year thanks to his power with the bat and his outstanding performances in minor leagues and 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 discreet performances at the beginning of the series.
