Signed for just $130,000 at the start of the delayed 2020-21 international signing period, Valdez showed off some raw power but didn’t make a ton of noise at the very start of his career, though he started showing what he could do in the Florida Complex League in 2023. He really started establishing his run producing bona fides when he led the Florida State League in home runs in 2024, then hit 26 more while reaching Double-A in 2025. The 2025 Futures Game capped off his year by being named Arizona Fall League offensive player of the year after topping the circuit in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage, and he was rewarded with a spot on the 40-man roster.
A big reason for Valdez’s ascendance in 2025 was his commitment to conditioning and a physical routine, helping him get the most out of his large 6-foot-2, 230-pound plus frame. Another was adjustments he made in his overall approach, toning things down a little bit and understanding the power is going to come naturally. His overall miss and chase rates went down compared to 2024. The next step in his development is being on time for better fastballs. He crushes spin -- and lefties -- but as he sees more elite velocities, he’s going to have to learn to keep up with it.
While’s never going to be a Gold Glove winner, Valdez also made strides with his outfield defense, especially when he focused on playing right field in Altoona, which is not an easy right to play. There’s much more confidence that he can be an average defender in PNC Park’s right field once he gets there, with the power profile to fit the spot well.
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.
