Pirates No. 3 prospect Florentino flexes during Single-A rehab assignment
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Edward Florentino has made himself right at home during his rehab assignment with Single-A Bradenton, but he probably doesn't need to set up housekeeping.
Pittsburgh's No. 3 prospect went deep for the second consecutive game and reached base three times in the Marauders' 8-4 victory over Clearwater on Thursday night at BayCare Ballpark.
Florentino has hit safely in all five of his rehab games with Bradenton.
Returning to the Florida State League, where MLB's No. 44 prospect appeared in 54 games last year during his first stateside action, Florentino appears healthy and in midseason form after recovering from an ankle injury suffered during Spring Training.
The 19-year-old ripped the second long ball of his rehab stint off right-hander Sean Youngerman (PHI No. 17) in the third inning, sending it 411 feet to right-center field with an exit velo of 110 mph.
Florentino's line-drive stroke produced another double later in the game, giving him five extra-base hits in his first five contests of the season. He is slashing .353/.500/.882 with five RBIs and five walks in his first 22 plate appearances.
That Florentino is on a rehab assignment with Bradenton offers a glimpse of where the native of the Dominican Republic will go once he's cleared. The lefty-swinging outfielder began 2025 in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League but moved up to Single-A for his final 54 games of the season.
The 2024 international signee's quick ascension didn't impede his performance. Florentino posted an .833 OPS on the strength of 27 extra-base hits, 10 homers and 33 walks for the Marauders last year. Overall, he slashed .290/.400/.548 with 16 homers, 59 RBIs and 35 stolen bases in 83 games.
Considered one of the prospects who took a major step forward last year, Florentino might already be with High-A Greensboro if not for his delayed start. Although not serious, the Pirates were cautious with one of their prized prospects, holding him out of live-game action before slotting him into the Bradenton lineup on April 18.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder appears healthy and has proven as much, playing center field in four of his five games while DHing in the other.