{"id":113949,"date":"2026-02-12T02:49:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T07:49:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=113949"},"modified":"2026-02-12T02:49:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T07:49:57","slug":"pirates-third-base-underrated-infielder-enmanuel-valdez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/02\/12\/pirates-third-base-underrated-infielder-enmanuel-valdez\/","title":{"rendered":"Underrated Pirates Infielder Could Play a Role at Third Base"},"content":{"rendered":"

Players across Major League Baseball have begun reporting for spring training. There have already been plenty of videos of Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> players starting the long journey of an MLB season. With the third base situation currently up in the air, some unexpected Pirates players<\/a> have started taking ground balls at the hot corner. One of those players is an underrated name on the Pirates\u2019 40-man roster, Enmanuel Valdez<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Apr 19, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Enmanuel Valdez (48) slides into third base attempting to stretch a double against the Cleveland Guardians during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Enmanuel Valdez Could Be an Under-the-Radar Third Base Bat for the Pirates<\/h2>\n

Valdez was acquired last offseason from the Boston Red Sox. He only hit .209\/.294\/.363, an 82 wRC+ over a 102 plate appearance sample size. While he likely would have gotten more of a chance to prove himself in 2025, he suffered a shoulder injury and was forced to undergo season-ending surgery.<\/p>\n

\n

Now hold on just a second…<\/p>\n

Enmanuel Valdez with a maybe no doubter to cut the lead to 5<\/p>\n

104.6 MPH exit velocity, 405 feet, HR in 12\/30 ballparks pic.twitter.com\/xqCGaraSRv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Platinum Key (@PlatinumKey13) April 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n