Facing noted control pitcher Kevin Gausman, the Pittsburgh Pirates not surprisingly managed just one walk against him in their 6-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night.
That the lone base on balls was produced by rookie Esmerlyn Valdez impressed manager Don Kelly.
Making his major league debut, the 22-year-old outfielder had a largely forgettable first game, going 0 for 3 with two strikeouts at Rogers Centre. But it was the plate discipline he displayed in the fifth inning against Gausman that caught Kelly’s attention.
Valdez had a seven-pitch at-bat, fouling off a 3-2 pitch before holding up on an 83 mph splitter that was outside the strike zone. It was the only walk issued by Gausman in 6 2/3 innings, was his first in the past three starts and just the 10th he has allowed in 11 starts this season.
“He had a good at-bat there,” Kelly said. “It was good to get that first one out of the way and get the jitters out. He’ll be ready to roll (Saturday).”
A day earlier, Valdez was promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis while outfielder Billy Cook was optioned to the minors. The Pirates plan to use Valdez in right field while Ryan O’Hearn recovers from a quadriceps injury that could keep him sidelined for several weeks.
“We’ll see a lot of him,” Kelly said.
Valdez was inserted into the No. 8 spot in the batting order, sandwiched between catcher Endy Rodriguez and left fielder Jake Mangum. He became the second outfielder to make his Pirates debut this week, joining center fielder Jhostynxon Garcia.
In addition to his walk and two strikeouts, Valdez also grounded out to first.
“I took some good at-bats today,” Valdez said through an interpreter following his debut. “My plan was to swing at good pitches. I think I’m in a good spot.”
Nicknamed “The Magician” because his first name is pronounced Ez-Merlin, Valdez was labeled the Pirates’ No. 5 prospect by Baseball America, and he lived up to the billing at Indianapolis. Before his promotion, Valdez was batting .253 with 10 home runs in 46 games. He had five home runs in his final five games for Indianapolis.
That came on the heels of a 2025 season in which he was named the Pirates’ Willie Stargell slugger of the year, hitting a system-best 26 home runs while earning an invitation to the All Star Futures Game.
“It feels amazing just to be in the big leagues in front of so many people,” Valdez said. “I feel pretty proud just to be here because of all the hard work I have put in.”
It was fitting that Valdez made his debut in Toronto. One of his idols growing up was former Blue Jays and Pirates player Jose Bautista, who hit 54 home runs for Toronto in 2010 and 43 the following season.
Bautista attended the game Friday, threw out the ceremonial first pitch and spent some time in the booth during the Pirates telecast.
“I was walking toward the right-field line to get ready, and I saw him walk to the mound to throw out the first pitch,” Valdez said. “I thought it was a dream.”
On the telecast, Bautista promised to send the young outfielder some memorabilia. The gesture surely capped a magical night for the magician.
“It was a great experience, something I will not forget for the rest of my life,” Valdez said. “Thanks again to the Pirates for giving me the opportunity.”