Pirates No. 3 prospect raises Jolly Roger with first High-A homer
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Edward Florentino gave a hop, skip and a goodbye to the second pitch of his fourth-inning at-bat Sunday. Turns out it was a milestone moment for him.
MLB's No. 44 prospect smashed his first High-A home run after being activated off the 7-day injured list Friday. Florentino lifted Greensboro to a six-run lead en route to an 8-6 victory over Winston-Salem at Truist Stadium.
With two on and two outs, the left-handed-hitting outfielder pummeled an elevated fastball from righty Garrett Wright (White Sox) over the towering wall in right-center field. Florentino ended his day 2-for-5 with a third-inning single after going hitless in three at-bats in his High-A debut Friday.
The 19-year-old outfielder began a Minor League rehab assignment with Single-A Bradenton on April 18. Over nine games with the Marauders, Florentino compiled a slash line of .321/.500/.750 with three homers, three doubles, 10 RBIs, nine runs scored and 11 walks to 10 strikeouts.
The power-hitting teenager has appeared healthy after recovering from an ankle injury suffered during Spring Training. Florentino struck out twice and walked once in three games of Grapefruit League action earlier this year.
The Pirates' No. 3 prospect began 2025 in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League but moved up to Single-A for his final 54 games of the season. He posted an .833 OPS on the strength of 27 extra-base hits, 10 homers and 33 walks for Bradenton last year. Overall, he slashed .290/.400/.548 with 16 homers, 60 runs, 59 RBIs and 35 stolen bases in 83 games.
Florentino has started both of his High-A games in center field. During his rehab, he made six starts in the outfield and three as the designated hitter.