ELECTRIC: Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects Tony Blanco Jr. & Esmerlyn Valdez SHOWCASE Power in AFL Derby

ELECTRIC: Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects Tony Blanco Jr. & Esmerlyn Valdez SHOWCASE Power in AFL Derby

Tony Blanco Jr. didn’t just win the AFL home run derby, he redefined it. Esmer Valdez backed him up and together they gave Pirates fans a glimpse of what power looks like in black and gold. Let’s talk about it next on Locked on Pirates. [Music] You are Locked on Pirates, your daily Pittsburgh Pirates podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team every day. Hi there, I’m Gary Morgan. Welcome to Locked On Pirates, part of the Locked On Network, now the number one sports podcast network. I’ve been covering the Pirates since 2019. And today we’re diving into Tony Blanco Jr’s record shattering performance in Arizona Fall League Home Run Derby, Esmerind Valdez’s rise, and what the Joe Lours signing really says about the Pirates offseason strategy. Let’s get into it. But first, today’s episode is brought to you by Game Time. Download the Game Time app, create an account, and use code locked on MLB for $20 off your first purchase. So, yeah, Blanco and Valdez were the story. They were certainly the ones providing the fall fireworks. It was crazy. Tony Blanco Jr. and Esmeran Valdez didn’t just show up to the Arizona Fall League, they took it over. As of early November, they’re the two Pirates prospects making the biggest impact in the AFL. It’s not just about the home run derby, but let’s start with Valdez. He has been a dominant force, leading the league in multiple offensive categories. Eight home runs, 26 RBI, and a 922 slugging percentage. At one point, his OPS topped 2.20. 20, which is just incredible. Over an eightgame stretch, he’s posted a max exit velocity of 114.4, one of the highest in the AFL. And across high A and double A in the regular season, he hit 26 home runs. Valdez isn’t just showing power, he’s showing elite power and he’s doing it con consistently and he’s pretty darn close. I mean, we’re talking about a guy that’s going to be starting in Triple A next year. I I can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t. They’ll absolutely add him to the 40man to protect him from the role five. I I think you should be pretty optimistic that you’re going to get eyes on Esmerind Valdez in the majors next year. I’m not claiming that he’s a perfect player. I’m not claiming he’ll come up here and hit 30 in the majors, but this is not a an aberration at this point. What he’s done all season long, it’s opened eyes, not just here either. Um then there’s Tony Blanco Jr. He stole the spotlight in the AFL home run derby. And I mean, he’s been hitting home runs, but he hit 122.9 mileph homer harder than anything recorded in MLB Derby history during the Statcast era. Launched a 119.7 mile blast onto a nearby roof, sending the ballpark into a frenzy. uh finished with 24 homers and 32 points, including a walk-off opposite field shot to win the event. Delivered an emotional tribute to his late father, Tony Senior, uh who played in the Fall League himself back in 2005. Blanco’s power, it’s raw, it’s loud, it’s real. Um, he’s also hit a 464 foot bomb during regular AFL play. He continues to be one of the most talked about players in the league. Together, Blanco and Valdez have formed a formidable duo in the Salt River Raptors, combining for 40 home runs in the Derby and routinely sending frozen ropes into the desert night. While they’re the headliners, it’s worth noting that Jaden Woods, a lefty reliever, has shown some flashes. He’s working on command uh and posting scoreless outings. Carlson Reed has also had a clean inning recently. other Pirates prospects like uh Derek Diamond, Joshua Lusorn, Dominic Parashi, and Will Taylor are gaining valuable reps and injury after injury shortened seasons. Bottom line here is Blanco and Valdez aren’t just putting up numbers, they’re kind of making statements. And if you’re a Pirates fan looking for hope, well, this fall league performance is a great place to start. We haven’t had too many opportunities to just talk, I don’t know, optimistically. And and this this is two reasons to be very optimistic. First one, we already talked about a little bit with with Valdez. I really believe you have a very good chance of seeing him in the majors next year. I really do. I don’t I’m not going to try to predict whether it’s a cup of coffee at the end of the year or, you know, somebody that you’re whining to me about sometime around the the All-Star break or whatever, but I expect him to start in TripleA and that’ll be a real test for him with the power numbers. Indianapolis is a very, very fair ballpark. And I love what he’s doing in the Arizona Fall League. There’s no denying how cool it is. is there’s no denying how special it’s looked. At least what you get to see. Most most of what you get to see from the AFL is like one fixed camera angle. And you know, if anything, you get highlights from people in the stands just holding up a phone. I I did get to go to two games earlier this this year in the AFL. First time I’ve ever done it. And uh it’s a cool atmosphere. You can definitely tell like there are players of varying levels for sure. There really are. You know, there are some guys that are just trying to get in innings and you almost don’t want to take too much from their performances against some of these better players as much as just hoping that they continue to stay healthy and get the work in. But for some guys like like Blanco and Esmerlin, it it’s been a little bit more of a let me just punish anything you try to throw against me. I mean, it it’s really been that, especially for Valdez, Blanco. There’s a there’s more concern there. Um, and I don’t want to I don’t want to like take a positive segment and and put it into a downward spin, but I do feel it’s important that you you just understand. We we had an AMA question about this not not all that long ago, but as he just has been so impressive here, I think more questions are going to come up about how quickly he should um be risen through the ranks. I would just say the biggest thing to pay attention with Blanco is the power is crazy. You will notice it immediately. The ball sounds different. He barely looks like he’s fully swinging to to put the thunder that he does into some of these balls. He’s that kind of big. We’re talking Aaron Judge big except um he’s not just that big in one way. He’s he’s got a little bit of heft to him, right? And this isn’t a this isn’t a fleefooted guy. Um, probably means you’re you’re talking about a guy who’s a future first baseman or could be like a DH. Um, Gez, I’m trying to think of like who I could comp him to. Big Country, if you remember back in the day, it’s kind of what he reminds me of. Um Mason Martin is probably a more recent um guy that had this same sort of thing. Big power um didn’t have the best contact skills. That’s what’s got to improve with Blanco. Now on the plus side, his age is certainly there. He’s young enough that he can absolutely develop that and he doesn’t have to develop it into like some supernatural player ability where he’s he’s one of these guys that starts slapping singles all over the place. That’s just not going to be his game. But he is a guy that I think you could potentially get the the K rate down controllably around 25% in the minors. and then you’ve got a good shot at at a real legitimate power hitter. Gonna have to have a spot for him that’s very limited though. This isn’t a guy that you’re going to be able to play a lot of games with as far as moving him around. Esmerlin eh maybe a little more. You know, he can he can do some things in the field. I don’t know that I think he’s going to win a gold glove anywhere. I’m not telling you that he has a birthight to play any position, but I think you got a good shot of him making it with a little more versatility at least to do something or at least reasonably believe you could. Blanco, let’s just say all of his chips are in the bucket of this is going to be a transformative power hitter because if he isn’t, it’s going to be real hard to roster him. So, um, interesting to watch them both develop. Uh, Blanco’s come a little further this year than I expected him to, and Valdez certainly has. I liked him last year, but man, what a jump for real. From Blanco’s moonshots and Valdez’s breakout, the future looks bright, but what about the present? Let’s talk Murakami budgets and whether the Pirates can even get in the room. The NBA is back and there’s no better place to get in on the action than FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Even if you miss the start of the game or want to ride that hot hand, FanDuel has live bets on everything from who will score next to the fourth quarter big comeback. Plus, you can even combine your live bets into a same game parlay for a shot at a bigger payout. It keeps every game interesting, especially when your team’s making that late push. Right now, FanDuel is giving new customers $300 in bonus bets when your first $5 bet wins. So, head to fandle.com and sign up and play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Hey, welcome back to Locked On Pirates. Thank you for making Locked On Pirates your first listen of the day and thank you for helping Locked On become the number one sports podcast network. Shout out to all the everydayers out there. There’s today’s big question I got from a listener that listened to just about that entire series last week about the Pirates Operation 83 wins. and um came in a little late for the AMA with a really good question. Do the Pirates actually have a shot at signing Munitaka Marakami? And I hope that I did that any kind of justice. Sully over at Locked On MLB thinks they should at least throw their hat in the ring. I’m not convinced. If I offer someone $20 to shovel my driveway, does that count as being in the mix for a $300 million contract? That’s hyperbole, sure. But let’s talk about budget realities, international free agency, and whether playing next to stars like Paul Ske, or even show Otani could influence a decision like that. Well, first, it’s a great question for real. Um, I think the pirates should put some interest into this. I know they sent scouts, but I also don’t think that that’s necessarily like a reportable exciting thing. Like, hey, they had scouts there. Every team had scouts in Japan for a lot of reasons. I mean, the Pirates could have had scouts there watching Cody Pon to see how much better he was. That’s a guy that’s going to come back and surprise people by getting a big major league contract, too. Um, he’s done well over in Japan. So, yeah. I I mean, should they be in on it? Yeah, maybe. I don’t necessarily think that it’s a lock that he sticks at third base. I think he could move to first. Those are things I’ve read. The the posting fee is almost $17 million. Now, that’s not what he makes. That’s what it cost just to bid. Um, the most that I ever remember them doing was for Jean-Ho Gong back in the day. And I’d have to go and look it up, but I can’t remember that being more than a posting fee of, I think, $4 million, which was pretty big at the time. It was definitely a a step outside of the comfort zone for a chance at a power hitter. Um, yeah. I I don’t know. And as far as can can he be swayed to play with great players? Well, they’re all going to say that once they actually land wherever they land, you know, for the most part, you’re going to find a player or two that you can identify to say like, man, I really wanted to play with that guy. Uh, this one’s probably going to be a lot more about money than anything else. The the traditional markets to look for in this case, when they say nine figures, I don’t think they’re getting to 300 million with a guy like this, if only because his K rate is up around 25 to 30% in Japan. And much like I was just talking about with Blanco, okay, totally different players. Please don’t think I’m making some kind of a comp, but I am going to say that the Japanese league is a lot closer to AAA than it is the majors. Okay. So, if I think you have to have a better K percentage in the minors to be successful in the majors, I’m certainly not going to dismiss that he’s got a rather high K rate in Japan because what I expect is that it grows when it gets here, at least momentarily, you know, at least for the first year or so. Even um Suzuki in um Chicago struggled a little bit when he came here and he was pretty accomplished, you know. Um this guy pretty accomplished as well. He’s coming off an oblique injury. He didn’t play a lot of baseball last year, so I’m sure that’ll factor into some people’s minds. I would imagine more so than that lump sum of like the 300 million. I think you’re probably looking at something more in the fiveyear 120 million type range. Again, that should be in the realm of possibilities for a team like the Pirates. It it should be I’m I’m tired of making excuses and pretending that they couldn’t do any one individual thing. I’ll tell you there’s other ways they they could spend their money and split it up, but like if they wanted to just go out and try to get one big thing, that would be it. That said, I I really do believe with a lot of the Japanese players that come over, there is an adjustment period to the American game. There just is. Uh I I I don’t think that it has to be some kind of role that you always expect. I don’t think that it’s something that you have to claim you’ve seen with other players, you know. I just most of them come over here and struggle to adapt for a moment. The fast balls are just different. The motion on the pitches is just a little bit different. They are throwing different types of pitches. Fork balls are super super heavy heavily used and traditional over there along with a lot of sinkers and and breaking pitches down in the zone. We’re getting that in the game now a little bit more as you’ve seen the high fast ball start to get tagged here and there. You’re starting to see the the pitchers here adjust back to it. But in Japan, that’s kind of the bread and butter. And when you get over here and everyone’s piping high fast balls at you, that’s not how you succeeded, you know? So go and look at his highlight videos if you like and see that sweet spot that he’s hitting a lot of those home runs in and then picture how few pitches he’s going to see there. Right? Your first year, I think you do adjust. And then if if you stay long enough, I think you can become what Suzuki has become, which is just a reliable, evolved, mature power hitter. You know that. And he’s younger. He’s got more runway to do it than than a lot of Japanese players that come over here. Coming over here at 25 years old. So yeah, I long- winded way of saying I’d love the Pirates to be in on it. I think it’s technically affordable. It’s It’s a better option than going after any of the free agents on the board right now that were even in their reach. I think it’s probably more affordable than Kyle Schwarber, but less reliable, less of a sure thing. Less of a sure thing. I would say that it’s it’s it’s nowhere near anybody else. I mean, Pete Alonzo, I guess, is probably the best comp really. because especially since I think he could wind up playing first base, too. That’s probably the best comp on the board and I don’t think he makes what Pete Alonzo is going to get. So, I Yeah, they they should have their hat in the ring or whatever that is. for them to put their hat in the ring though. And this is the thing with with these international signings that almost $17 million that I talked about. I I mean that gets put up before you bid. You get what I mean? So like you can you can put that money up to lose. It’s expensive to it’s it’s expensive in this case to walk around pretending you were this close to signing David Price if you remember back in the day, right? So, I mean it it it’s not it’s not a game that I think you see a lot of teams play. Do they want to play with the best players though? Yeah. And show Otani especially. especially I sure now a guy like this maybe he’s a guy that’s like screw show I’m going to be the big Japanese star wait till they see me and maybe he doesn’t want to be in his shadow or be anywhere near him certainly didn’t work that way for Yamamoto or Suzuki you know they wanted to be with him you know I I don’t know I don’t know I now do I think like they are inclined to want to play with Paul Skins. Probably not yet. You know, I mean, this guy’s pro one of the bigger stars in his game in his country. I I doubt he’s looking at other stars drolling, you know? I mean, he probably knows who show he is and loves him and looks up to him, but I doubt he’s looking at like American stars from Pittsburgh, you know? I’m sure he knows who he is, but pro probably can’t wait to face him, but I doubt he’s thinking about teaming up with him or anything like that. I I think you’re probably looking at national pride concerns. The typical cities are going to be talked about or the ones that have succeeded in getting Japanese players to land there before. Chicago, Boston, New York, LA, Seattle, I mean, San Diego. that those are the conversations that you’re going to have that he’s going to want to be on the west coast or one of the big metropolises either in the mid or uh east coast. That that’s the way it usually works. I’d love them to be in on it, too. I’m happy that you listen to Sully. He’s awesome. Um yeah, big names might be out of reach, but smart depth moves still matter. Let’s look at Joe Lassoursa and why he might be a little bit more than just a typical Pirates signing. NFL season is back and honestly there’s nothing better than being in the stadium surrounded by fans cheering on your team. But let’s be honest, getting tickets can be a real hassle. Between K’s long login screens and prices jumping at checkout, it’s frustrating. That’s why I use Game Time, the app that gives the advantage back to fans. Game time is fast, easy, and backed by Game Time guarantee. You’ll always get 100% authentic tickets delivered on time and at the best price. Plus, all fees are included. So, the price you see is the price you pay. I pulled up game time for last night’s Steeler game. uh just a couple hours before it started. Saw tickets on there for about a buck 50. Good luck getting those in advance, right? Download the Game Time app, create an account, and use code locked on MLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again, that’s promo code locked on MLB for $20 off. Swipe, tap, ticket, go download game time today. Hey, welcome back to Locked on Pirates. Before we jump into our final segment, don’t forget to follow me on socials. Gary Mo 20007 on X, Gary Morgan on Facebook, Pirates Fan Forum on Instagram, or just search Locked on Pirates anywhere you hang out online. Now, let’s talk about Joe Lassorsa. Pirates signed him to a minor league deal with a spring training invite. And sure, it’s easy to call this a typical Pirates signing, but honestly, this is a typical reliever signing for any team in baseball. What makes Lorsa interesting is how quickly he’s moved through the system compared to some of the Pirates own arms. Guys like Brandon Bedois and Ryan Harbin who are just now getting protected or considered for the 40man. Well, they’re right from the same zip code as the source was. 2019 draft pick, you know, just peaked into the majors. Lefty got some good zip on his pitches. This isn’t something to like be upset about or same old pirates dumpster diving for those pirates. When you’re filling a bullpen, that’s what it looks like. That’s what it looks like. And and if you succeed, people forget where you got them. Do you think anybody celebrating their second consecutive World Series in in Los Angeles was thinking about the fact that Anthony Bondo was a waiverwire claim? You think anybody cared? You know, I they don’t. Do you care that Dennis Santana was? You know, I I mean, these are the types of guys that you get in this time of year. You’re trying to bring in depth. I told you one of my biggest concerns was left-handed pitching. They have Hunter, they have Barco, and I’m excited about that. That’s that’s a starter, and that’s if he wins a spot out of camp in the first place. And I don’t see them using him in the bullpen. I think they need him to remain a starting prospect one way or another. He’s one of the very few I don’t think they can play that game with really. You got one reliever that you traded for Evans Cisk. You know, you you need some depth. You need some backup options, right? This is a nothing thing. This is a a guy signed to a deal. You’re either in the minors or you’re in the majors. You can come to camp and if we think you’re good, okay, maybe we’ll give you a spot. Why is it any different than like wanting them to protect somebody like Brandon Bedois who just had his first healthy season this year and flew through the system. The these this is what happens with relievers. They get to a decision point or an aging out point and then teams have to fly them and sometimes it results in what happens to a guy like Joe Lorsa. People liked them all the way through. They were very interested in him and then they bring him up and they use him like a ping-pong ball for a couple seasons, kill all of his options and then dispose of them and let someone else deal with them. Well, this is how bullpens get made. There’s a ton of guys like this. I guess what I’m saying is like we I understand the environment that we’re living in right now with with baseball and and the the economics of it and the pirates and way they make some dumb decisions and everything, but man, if your default mode is everything is stupid or nothing matters or why do I mean like why have a discussion? Why comment at all then? I I This is a kid that hasn’t done anything to anyone. Nobody here in Pittsburgh outside of people that have watched like every single game and saw him throw for the Reds against us once know who this dude is, you know, and if he pitched against us, you probably think he’s Sai Young, right? So, my point is you don’t know who he is. You don’t you don’t know if this is a good deal or or a bad deal. This is no different than trading Kevin Newman for Dowry Moretta and everybody was like, “Who the hell’s Dowry Moretta?” You know what I mean? You don’t know who they are because why would you? They’re relievers. But you don’t have to like hate them instantly. And and I just don’t think we have to like immediately go to that’s a stupid move or that’s a typical move. Listen, some of them are going to look like stupid moves. Some of them are. Some of them are just flat out wrong. Some of them you’re just going to be like, “Why did you take a swing at this guy at all?” I think it all the time. But I think it after I’ve seen them pitch. I see I think it after I’ve seen their new pitching coach get a shot to like get hands on him and see what he can do. These types of moves are not the ones to scrutinize. The ones to scrutinize are like the big trades where real talent goes out the door. Then you expect real talent to come back. Those are the ones to scrutinize. sign a free agent and you know damn well it’s going to be a starter or a starting role and it’s something like Tommy Fam. Yeah, you get mad. Now, if they brought in Lorsa and they signed him immediately to a major league contract, meaning we don’t even need to see a second of what he’s done. I I want him in the majors, period. He’s on my roster. Well, yeah, get mad then. This is a guy that’s got only a couple innings of experience. What are you doing? But if they sign a guy like that to a two-way contract, guys, this is what you want them to do. This is exactly what you should be doing. And it doesn’t preclude you from signing other guys that cost a lot more. You really should. I I’m not saying they will get mad about that then. This is normal stuff. There are people online already hating this guy. You don’t know him. You have no idea what he’s going to do. You have no idea what Coach Murphy thinks he sees in him or whatever metric they see that they think they can get something out of. They’ve actually done pretty well in this category. I don’t understand why we would be upset about them ex exercising this category. This is something they’ve done great at. Yeah. I I don’t know. So, yeah, it might look like a typical Pirates move on the surface, but dig a little deeper and you’ll see it’s the kind of signing every team makes. Sometimes the kind that sticks. Blanco and Valdez gave us a glimpse of what the future could look like. Makami might be a long shot, but the conversation matters and it’s worth having. They really should and could be involved in something like that. And Lorsa just another piece in the puzzle. Remember, we’re serious about Pirates baseball because somebody has to be. Let’s go Bucks.

Pittsburgh Pirates fans get a jolt of optimism as Tony Blanco Jr. smashes Home Run Derby records and Esmerlin Valdez dominates Arizona Fall League pitching. Are these power-hitting prospects the future sluggers Pittsburgh has been waiting for? Gary Morgan breaks down their explosive performances, why Valdez is knocking on the majors’ door, and what makes Blanco’s raw power impossible to ignore—despite lingering questions about his contact skills and future position.

The conversation swings to potential off-season moves, including the realistic chances of the Pirates winning the Munetaka Murakami sweepstakes and the strategic value behind Joe La Sorsa’s addition to the bullpen. Gary Morgan tackles fan skepticism, examines front office philosophy, and considers what smart roster-building really looks like in Pittsburgh. Don’t miss this high-energy look at where the Pirates stand now—and how far this new wave of talent might carry them.
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Pirates Home Run Derby, Arizona Fall League, Tony Blanco Jr, Esmerlyn Valdez, Joe La Sorsa, Jaden Woods, Carlson Reed, Derek Diamond, Joshua Looscorn, Dominic Parashi, Will Taylor, Brandon Boudoir, Ryan Harbin, Evan Sisk, Jung Ho Kang, Cody Ponce, Munetaka Murakami, Paul Skenes, MLB Prospects, Pittsburgh Pirates News, Pirates Rumors, Salt River Rafters