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Pittsburgh Pirates: MVP For Each Minor League Affiliate Team

By Kody Duncan

Oneil Cruz of the Altoona Curve scored a two-run homer as Binghamton Rumble Ponies lost to the Altoona Curve, 5-0, on Tuesday, May 11, 2021.
Oneil Cruz of the Altoona Curve scored a two-run homer as Binghamton Rumble Ponies lost to the Altoona Curve, 5-0, on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 20: A New Era pillbox Pittsburgh Pirates baseball hat is seen in the dugout during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park on July 20, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 20: A New Era pillbox Pittsburgh Pirates baseball hat is seen in the dugout during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park on July 20, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

The Pittsburgh Pirates minor league teams showed a lot of individual success this year on all levels. Some players stood out more than others. Here are my position player only MVPs for each Pirates affiliated team for the 2021 season.

DSL Pirates Black – first baseman Ronny Sanchez

Ronny Sanchez is this year’s most valuable position player for the DSL Pirates Black. Sanchez was signed as an international free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates on November 6th 2018. He is from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and is only 19 years of age.

Sanchez stands at 5’11” and weighs 191lbs and bats and throws right-handed. His primarily position on the field is 1st base. In just 38 games Sanchez had 113 at bats and finished with 37 hits. That gave him an impressive slash line of .327/.392/.442 and an OPS of .834.

He was lacking in the power category finishing with 0 homeruns, but that shouldn’t be a concern because of his young age. He did however have 10 extra base hits in which 3 of them were triples.

DSL Pirates Gold – outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez

Esmerlyn Valdez is this year’s most valuable position player for the DSL Pirates Gold. Valdez stands at 6’2” and weighs 181lbs. He bats and throws right-handed and is only 17 years of age.

He comes from Peravia, Dominican Republic and was an international free agent signing on Jan 15th of this year. His primary positions were the corner outfield for the DSL this year playing RF and LF the majority of the time. In 45 games, Valdez had 129 at bats and had 32 total hits on the year. He had 13 extra bases hits in which 5 of them were for homeruns.

When the Pirates initially signed this kid, I was excited because of his power potential. It showed this year. He could become a 20 to 30 homerun kid if he develops. His slash line for the Gold was .248/.355/.426 and an OPS of .782. He also managed to draw 17 walks on the year.

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