Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

One thing is certain: Valencia can hit.

The compact and strong-bodied corner outfielder is an advanced hitter who also shows some power potential. He hits the ball with authority to all fields and has wowed scouts with his overall offensive prowess.

On defense, he has the skills to play all three outfield positions. He could end up as a corner outfielder because of his strong arm and power potential, but those types of decisions will likely be made once he signs with a team and receives daily instruction. His speed on both sides of the ball and how his body develops will help determine what position he plays.

Evaluators believe he is going to hit enough to play everyday regardless of what position he ends up playing. 

Valencia trains with Jaime Ramos in the Dominican Republic. The Astros are among the teams who have shown strong interest in him. Ramos is a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

A big-time international prospect (ranked No. 21 overall in the 2023 class), Valencia was hailed for his hitting tool when he signed with the Astros for $897,500. The Dominican Republic native's progress has been slow but steady with yearly promotions and league-average production. The Marlins acquired him along with Ryan Gusto and Chase Jaworsky at the 2025 deadline for Jesús Sánchez, and Valencia gave a glimpse of his offensive upside across 24 games with Single-A Jupiter by slashing .327/.367/.510 to raise his season OPS to .730. 

Valencia is a compact 5-foot-10 and deploys an extremely aggressive approach at the plate. He uses an unorthodox swing to cover the zone and has registered exit velocities up to 112 mph. But he also chases far too often and hasn't frequently tapped into his natural power. Valencia chased on secondary pitches well over 40 percent of the time, and he'll need to address that to bring his walk rate up to a sustainable level. Still, he is a very toolsy hitter with untapped potential.

A fantastic athlete who can leg out hits and is an instinctual baserunner, Valencia can get overly aggressive at times while trying to steal. He has a real chance to stick in center field and has the arm to fit at any spot if he's relegated to a fourth-outfielder role. Valencia is quite a lottery-ticket prospect, and time is still on his side heading into his age-20 season.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

The Astros spent the majority of their 2023 international bonus pool allotment on three Dominican position players: shortstops Camilo Diaz ($2.25 million) and German Ramirez ($1.2 million) and Valencia ($897,500). The best pure hitter of the trio, he outperformed them both during their debuts in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. He batted .262/.346/.388 with 11 steals in 46 games and had the lowest strikeout rate (15 percent) on either of Houston's two DSL clubs.

A disciplined hitter, Valencia concentrates on making contact with a quick, compact right-handed stroke. He recognizes pitches, controls the strike zone and shows feel for the barrel better than most young international signees. While he needs to add strength and won't ever be a slugger, he does show some aptitude for pulling and lifting pitches and could grow into 15-homer power. 

Valencia will enhance his profile if he can remain in center field. While he's more of an average runner, his instincts help him cover ground in center. His plus arm strength would fit well in right field if he has to shift to a corner, and he had registered eight assists in his 42-game debut.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40 

The Astros spent $4.35 million of their $5.28 million international bonus pool this year on a trio of Dominican position players. While shortstop Camilo Diaz ($2.25 million) and German Ramirez ($1.2 million) received higher bonuses, Valencia ($897,500) is the best pure hitter of the group. He has outperformed them both in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. 

Valencia employs a disciplined approach at the plate, using a short right-handed swing to produce repeated contact. He recognizes pitches and manages the strike zone better than most international signees his age. Houston believes he can develop some sneaky power, though he'll need to add muscle and learn to drive balls in the air to do so. 

Valencia uses his solid speed aggressively on the bases. His instincts help him cover ground in center field and the Astros envision him staying there. If he loses some quickness as he matures physically and has to move, his plus arm would fit well in right field.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	06/02/2026	CF Esmil Valencia assigned to Beloit Sky Carp from Jupiter Hammerheads.
	05/08/2026	Jupiter Hammerheads activated CF Esmil Valencia from the 7-day injured list.
	04/07/2026	Jupiter Hammerheads placed CF Esmil Valencia on the 7-day injured list.
	04/07/2026	Jupiter Hammerheads placed CF Esmil Valencia on the 7-day injured list.
	03/05/2026	CF Esmil Valencia assigned to Miami Marlins Prospects.
	02/24/2026	CF Esmil Valencia assigned to Miami Marlins.
	07/31/2025	Miami Marlins traded RF Jesús Sánchez to Houston Astros for RHP Ryan Gusto, SS Chase Jaworsky and CF Esmil Valencia.
	07/31/2025	CF Esmil Valencia assigned to Jupiter Hammerheads.
	04/01/2025	OF Esmil Valencia assigned to Fayetteville Woodpeckers from FCL Astros.
	04/03/2024	OF Esmil Valencia assigned to FCL Astros from DSL Astros Orange.
	06/04/2023	OF Esmil Valencia assigned to DSL Astros Orange from DSL Astros Blue.
	01/23/2023	OF Esmil Valencia assigned to DSL HOU Blue.
	01/15/2023	Houston Astros signed free agent OF Esmil Valencia to a minor league contract.