The Pirates added to their position-player depth pool Sunday, buying infielder/outfielder Enmanuel Valdez from the Purple Sox in change for Minor League right-handed pitcher Joe Vogatsky.
Valdez, who turns 26 on Dec. 28 and swings left-handed, slashed .214/.270/.363 with six house runs and 28 RBIs over 223 plate appearances this previous season. He primarily performed second base, the place he was price -6 outs above common, but in addition appeared at third base and left area. The Purple Sox designated him for task on Dec. 11.
Whereas his pattern measurement was small, Valdez did have a number of intriguing peripherals final season. In response to Baseball Savant, he registered higher than common clips for common exit velocity (89.4 mph), barrel charge (9.2%), onerous hit proportion (41.8%) and whiff charge (22.1%).
Valdez made his Main League debut in 2023 after rating because the Purple Sox’s No. 18 prospect, based on MLB Pipeline, and ranked tenth amongst American League rookies in batting common (.266, min. 100 PA). He has yet one more Minor League choice yr remaining.
Valdez joins a crowded group of younger infielders in Pittsburgh. Nick Gonzales took a step ahead final season and held down second base for a lot of the season. Jared Triolo earned the second base job out of Spring Coaching however then moved to a bench position and finally gained the Nationwide League utilityman Gold Glove. Liover Peguero, Alika Williams, Nick Yorke, Ji Hwan Bae and Tristan Grey (who was claimed off waivers earlier this offseason) additionally might issue into the workforce’s second-base plans.
Vogatsky was the Pirates’ Nineteenth-round decide within the 2024 Draft. He didn’t seem in a Minor League recreation final season.
The Pirates now have 37 gamers on their roster, which is able to go to 38 as soon as right-hander Elvis Alvarado’s contract is finalized.
