Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects Named to 2025 Arizona Fall League Roster

S. Samek

Eight Pittsburgh Pirates prospects were named to the Arizona Fall League. The prospects will be on the roster of the Salt River Rafters along with prospects from the Angles, Diamondbacks, Red Sox and Rockies.

Esmerlyn Valdez, Tony Blanco Jr.,Derek Diamond, Josh Loeschorn, Dominic Perachi,Carlson Reed, Will Taylor and Jaden Woods were the eight players selected.

Valdez and Blanco Jr. are the only top 30 ranked prospects the team is sending to Arizona. Valdez has been having a great year with 26 home runs in 120 games at the High-A and Double-A level. I feel like this is a push to see if the power can keep translating well against better competition.

Blanco Jr. spent most of this season injured but was promoted to Single-A this year after spending last season in the FCL after two seasons in the DSL. This should be a good chance to make up some of the time lost to injury against some tougher competition.

Diamond has pitched across three levels of the minors this season but also looks to have been bit by the injury bug. He hasn’t been too effective either as in eight games pitching at Double-A his ERA is 12.79. I’m guessing this is a chance to get him makeup innings, not because he’s a prospect to watch. He did pitch in the fall league as well last year.

Loeschorn was injured all of 2024 and spent some time on the injury list this season. However, he was able to make 19 appearances with High-A. He pitched to a 2.66 ERA with four holds and three out of four converted save opportunities. This is most likely a catchup assignment as well.

Perachi has also battled injuries this season. Though he has made his way back to Double-A. Though eight games pitched he has a 4.89 ERA, which is an improvement from his last stint at the level in 2024.

Reed spent time hurt this season. He did make 16 starts for Greensboro though with a 2-4 record and 4.14 ERA. Though he did pitch well enough to win the South Atlantic League pitcher of the week award for the week of August 31st, 2025. I feel like Reed is getting not only a chance to make up lost injury time, but also a change to remerge as a top 30 prospect with a good showing.

Taylor was a 2024 draft pick out of Clemson. He seemed to struggle a bit in Single-A last year and was tasked with repeating the level to start 2025. His production was much better the second time around with a .333 average in 29 games, which earned him a promotion to High-A. In 64 games he hit .231 with 10 home runs and 43 RBIs. This looks to be a push to see what Taylor has and to see if he’s a future prospect to watch or not.

Woods has pitched at Double-A all of this season after reaching the level last year. However, he seems to be struggling this season, more so than last year. His Double- A ERA went from 4.93 to 5.64 this season. I’m guessing this is a sort of can they figure it out and right the ship with some extra work kind of deal.

It’s an interesting mix of players the Pirates are sending to the Arizona Fall League. I can’t wait to see how well they do during it.