With Pirates rookies raking, friendship between Konnor Griffin, Esmerlyn Valdez on display

PHILADELPHIA -- As the typical pre-series hitters’ meeting dispersed and Pirates players filtered back into the home clubhouse Monday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, one interaction stood apart from the others.

Konnor Griffin had his arm around Esmerlyn Valdez, the two incredible rookies laughing about something. Spend any time around the Pirates, and it’s also not uncommon to see the bond shared between Valdez and Griffin — how they’re always talking, always rooting for one another and sharing their unique experiences.

“We came up [through the Minor Leagues] together,” Griffin said. “We both love to compete, love to have fun. We enjoy being around each other and making each other better.”

Added Valdez, with Major League coach Stephen Morales translating: “He’s a great dude and always doing the right things. We have a really good relationship.”

It’s crazy to think about what the Pirates have with these two. Though we’ve known about Griffin, Valdez has been on a daily mission to showcase his immense power, becoming the first Pirate since Corey Dickerson in 2018 to homer in four straight games prior to Tuesday and the third Pittsburgh rookie in the Modern Era (1901-present) to do it.

The red-hot run for Valdez has been the talk of the Pirates clubhouse, and that absolutely includes Griffin, who knows a thing or two about precocious power.

“He’s got some of craziest pop that we have in our organization,” Griffin said. “To see him doing this at the highest level, I’m super happy for him. I know how it feels to show you can succeed at this level. To do it so consistently like he does, hitting homers, it’s pretty cool.”

So is their relationship.

Valdez has a deep admiration for how Griffin carries himself — unfailingly nice, constantly signing autographs, doing charity stuff and interacting with fans. It comes natural. On the field and in the clubhouse, Valdez described Griffin as an incredible teammate and someone who’s “always ready and aggressive” at the plate.

Griffin, meanwhile, appreciates that Valdez has been willing to teach him some Spanish and go slow with a Mississippi kid who’s definitely at the slower end of that learning curve.

“I don’t know much, but it’s fun,” Griffin said. “He understands a lot of English and can help me figure out what the heck [the Latin guys] are saying.”

More than anything, though, Griffin has enjoyed watching Valdez flash his 60-grade power, the part of his game that netted 26 home runs, 25 doubles and an .898 OPS last season.

Valdez, don’t forget, was the guy who debuted in the Arizona Fall League with a 425-foot, 108-mph homer, only to follow it up with a 114.4-mph missile the next night.

While Griffin has attracted a slew of headlines around the sport for his potential, emergence and contract extension, it’s possible Valdez might have the louder power-hitting tool.

"I feel like I have some power myself,” Griffin said. “But to do it as consistently as he does, man, that’s pretty impressive.”

As much as the Pirates have benefited this season from external additions such as Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna, the youth movement has helped take the offense to another level.

From a practical standpoint, it has helped them navigate a recent slice of the season where Griffin missed time and Oneil Cruz remains out with non-displaced fractures in his left hand.

It also hasn’t just been those two.

Entering Wednesday, Tyler Callihan had produced an .852 OPS while collecting seven extra-base hits in 24 games, helping the Pirates with his versatility. He’s also hitting .313 with a 1.275 OPS with runners in scoring position.

Jake Mangum is 30 but technically a second-year player. His speed and defense have been valuable with Cruz sidelined, along with the offense he’s provided since May 20 at St. Louis: .327 average, six doubles, a home run, 11 RBIs, nine stolen bases and 11 runs scored in 33 games.

It’s a long season, and performances like that go a long way, manager Don Kelly said.

“We have guys who can plug holes different ways,” Kelly said. “Whether it’s a rookie or a [slightly older player], that energy can be infectious.”

You don’t have to look far to find the impact Valdez and Griffin have had on the Pirates. One has become a franchise face, hitting .321 with 15 RBIs, 10 walks, 11 steals and 25 runs scored in 35 games since his 20th birthday.

The other has the Pirates’ best nickname (“The Magician”) while generating a bunch of excitement with his recent heater.

What’s really scary, Valdez said, is that they’ll soon have more company. Whether it’s Jhostynxon Garcia, Edward Florentino, Wyatt Sanford, Murf Gray, Yordany De Los Santos or Termarr Johnson, there are plenty of intriguing position-player prospects in the organization capable of turning heads.

“It feels good to do this and have [Griffin] right here,” Valdez said. “I think the organization has put us in a really good spot to succeed. But I’m pretty sure we’re not going to be the only ones who do that. Hopefully there are more young players to come.”

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.