Esmerlyn Valdez Promoted to Double-A

MLB prospect struggles in first 10 games at higher level

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Esmerlyn Valdez, a minor league baseball player, has been promoted from High-A Greensboro to Double-A Altoona. However, in his first 10 games at the higher level, Valdez is batting just .182 with no home runs and an 8:4 strikeout to walk ratio.

Why it matters

Valdez is considered a promising MLB prospect, so his performance at the Double-A level will be closely watched as an indicator of his potential to reach the major leagues. Struggling at this stage of his development could slow his path to the big leagues.

The details

Valdez, who plays for the Altoona Curve, the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, was promoted from High-A Greensboro on July 1. In his first 10 games at the Double-A level, he has posted a .182 batting average with no home runs and an 8:4 strikeout to walk ratio.

  • Valdez was promoted from High-A Greensboro to Double-A Altoona on July 1, 2026.

The players

Esmerlyn Valdez

A minor league baseball player who was recently promoted from High-A to Double-A.

Altoona Curve

The Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, where Valdez currently plays.

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The takeaway

Valdez's early struggles at the Double-A level will be closely monitored, as his performance could impact his timeline for reaching the major leagues.