The Pittsburgh Pirates' farm system is well represented at the Arizona Fall League this year, with eight prospects – three hitters and five pitchers – on the roster for the Salt River Rafters.
The Rafters kicked off their season Tuesday with a 7-3 win over the Glendale Desert Dogs that saw Esmerlyn Valdez, the Pirates' No. 15 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, hit a solo homer on the off of Toronto Blue Jays prospect Alex Amalfi in the bottom of the third inning. But more on that later.
Fellow power-hitting Pirates prospect Tony Blanco Jr.