Rafael Flores
Position: C/1B
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 232 pounds
Level: Triple-A
Notable: Beloved hometown closer David Bednar being shipped to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline last summer was a particularly low moment within the Pirates’ disappointing 2025 campaign.
By the end of July, the Pirates were well out of contention, leaving need for a go-to closer minimal. So off Bednar went to the Yankees, with whom he advanced to the ALDS.
In exchange for Bednar, New York shipped three prospects to Pittsburgh: outfielder Brian Sanchez, catcher Edgleen Perez and Flores, who, in 2025 ranked as the Yankees’ No. 17 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
Toward the end of 2025, the Pirates called up Flores, who made his big-league debut Sept. 17 and appeared in seven games, showing some pop in his bat while hitting .200.
The 25-year-old competed for an Opening Day spot with the Pirates this spring but did not make the cut and was assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis, where he has played in 45 contests.
Flores, who showcased power-hitting potential in 2024 and 2025 as he ascended the Yankees farm system, has gotten off to a slow start as he’s slashed .200/.316/.319 with four home runs and 25 RBIs.
Flores is also striking out at a 35% rate (56 strikeouts in 160 at-bats).
For comparison, last season, splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A, Flores hit 22 homers with 88 RBIs, batting .280 in 133 games.
Defensively, the Indians have deployed Flores at catcher 28 times and at first base 14 times.