The top target for the Pirates when the delayed 2020-21 international signing period opened in January of 2021 was Shalin Polanco, a highly ranked outfielder from the Dominican who got $2.35 million to sign. But it might turn out that Valdez, another Dominican outfielder, who signed for $130,000, is the best player from that class. He didn’t gain much traction in his first two summers in the Dominican Summer and Florida Complex Leagues, but he started to find his power back in the FCL in 2023, led the Florida State League in homers in 2024 and earned a promotion from High-A Greensboro to Double-A Altoona in 2025 while being chosen to represent the Pirates in the Futures Game.
Valdez is a strong right-handed hitter who has shown off considerable raw power ever since he signed. It was always a matter of him getting to that pop in games, and that started happening consistently in 2024, especially to his pull side, though his 22 home runs came with a strikeout rate north of 30 percent. The Pirates challenged Valdez to make adjustments and be a more complete hitter without trading away any impact, and there were gains in 2025 as his chase rate and strikeout rates both diminished while with Greensboro while still recording above-average exit velocities.
At age 21 for all of 2025, most of Valdez’s value comes from his future power production. He’s a below-average runner who has seen time in the outfield corners and first base. He’d profile better if he can stay on the grass, but it’s looking like he might have the kind of run-producing bat you find a spot for in the lineup somewhere.
