The Pittsburgh Pirates, hamstrung by low player payrolls, are always looking for bargains. They may have found one in Esmerlyn Valdez.

The Pirates signed Valdez as an amateur international free agent from the Dominican Republic in 2021 for just $130,000. By comparison, the largest bonus in that class was the $2.35 million that went to outfielder Shalin Polanco.

Polanco has been a disappointment. In five minor-league seasons, he has hit .214/.297/.377, though he has belted 42 home runs and stolen 50 bases.

Valdez, meanwhile, has become one of the Pirates' top hitting prospects. MLB Pipeline ranks Valdez as the Pirates' No. 15 prospect overall, and Baseball America has him at No. 22.

The 21-year-old's stock is continuing to rise with a strong start in the Arizona Fall League. Valdez has homered three times in his first four games with Salt River and walked eight times in 17 plate appearances.

The sample size is small. However, it is a continuation of a rise that started for Valdez in 2023, during his second season in the domestic minor leagues.

Valdez played in 48 games combined with Low-A Bradenton and the Pirates' team in the rookie-level Florida Complex League. The right-handed hitter batted .304/.374/.503 with six home runs.

Last season, Valdez's 22 home runs for Bradenton led the Florida State League. However, his batting average was just .226, and he struck out 133 times in 435 plate appearances.

Valdez took a significant step in his development this year while playing 123 games between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona. Valdez belted 26 home runs and had a slash line of .286/.376/.520.

Valdez is considered a one-dimensional player by many scouts. His defense is below average at first base and both corner outfield spots, and Valdez does not run well.

However, Valdez hits the ball out of the ballpark, and that makes him an intriguing prospect for the Pirates, whose 107 home runs were the lowest total in the major leagues this season. The Pirates' home run leader was center fielder Oneil Cruz, who had 20.

Valdez has surpassed that figure in each of the last two seasons.