When Rafael Flores Jr. made his MLB debut exactly a year ago Thursday, things were certainly different. It was a cup of coffee, first off. Just 17 plate appearances.
But Flores was also a bit of a mystery, acquired in the David Bednar trade but also a Yankees farmhand who could hit ... but maybe couldn't defend all that well.
What a difference 365 days have made.
Despite defensive questions dogging him and just four home runs and a .704 OPS in 65 games with Triple-A Indianapolis earlier this season, Flores has been one of the Pirates’ best stories of the second half, his emergence behind the plate perhaps making him the frontrunner to start behind the plate in 2027.
“Flo is in a good spot right now,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said Wednesday after Flores cranked his ninth homer in 40 MLB games in 2026, eight of those coming in 28 games since Aug. 13.
Kelly was discussing Flores’ approach at the plate and how the latter hasn't tried to do too much, but he easily could’ve been talking about the 25-year-old’s big league career thus far.
Whether Flores has played first base or caught, he's wielded a productive bat, hitting .274 with an .858 OPS in those 40 games, with four doubles, 20 RBIs and 34 runs scored to go along with the homers.
Flores carried a career-high, 10-game hitting streak into Thursday’s series finale with the Brewers, batting .421 (16-for-38) during that time. Although he hasn’t drawn a walk during that stretch, he has also struck out just eight times (21.1%), a reasonable balance considering the power provided.
“This year, I’ve gotten more reps and more time, so it’s definitely been a lot better,” Flores said. “Last year, I was here in September, but it was a small quantity. The more time I get up here, the better it’s gonna be for me and the whole team.
"I just want to help the team win.”
It’s been impressive how Flores has been able to do that multiple ways. After all, he’s someone who was having defensive problems earlier this season, a player who was seemingly ticketed for first base because he wasn’t good enough as a catcher.
So, about that ...
After starting the season 0-for-12 throwing out basestealers, Flores worked with catching coach Jordan Comadena, and the two decided that he should switch from having his left knee down to his right with men on base.
The change to Flores’ setup has paid big dividends. He’s thrown out six of 21 (28.6%) since that time, including two on Tuesday against Milwaukee.
Along with better throwing, Flores has built a rapport with Pirates pitchers and gained their trust. Braxton Ashcraft was the first to notice Flores’ improved defense. But Bubba Chandler and Jared Jones have subsequently worked with Flores, commenting on how easy he makes life for them.
“He’s been awesome,” Jones said. “He knows how to call a game and takes control. I haven’t shaken him yet.”
Most impressive about Flores might be his maturity, something that was evident when the Pirates visited Dodger Stadium in August and Flores got to play in front of his parents, Rafael Sr. and Silvia, for the first time.
Rafael Sr. had a serious stroke four days after his son signed with the Yankees after going undrafted in July 2022.
“It’s very exciting because he’s worked so hard,” Silvia Flores said in Los Angeles, with her daughter, Rocio, translating. “We’re very, very proud of him.”
Rafael Flores Jr.’s maturity has been evident in how he’s harnessed his swing. Conservatively listed at 6-foot-3, 232 pounds, Flores has a lot of long levers and previously in his career had a tendency to get a little long.
Over time, he’s learned less is more, to stick with his approach and to be OK going the other way. That was evident when he took a 1-1 sinker located middle-away to right-center field on Wednesday, blasting it 407 feet at 107.6 mph.
Flores also has four home runs this season that have traveled at least 422 feet, maxing out at 440.
Per Flores, it all points back to one thing.
“Confidence is what drives me, honestly,” Flores said. “Obviously first getting a chance up here, it’s a little tough to be confident. It’s a different game. Once you get used to it, once you get comfortable … I feel like everybody in here does a really good job of helping you get comfortable.
"That’s what I’ve been doing lately: just having fun and playing baseball.”
It’s been fun to watch Flores, who has clearly grown more confident. He’s handling his business behind the plate, and he’s given the Pirates a legitimate weapon against left-handed pitching, producing a .908 OPS against those guys.
In just one year, Flores has covered a lot of ground. But he’s done it with honest effort and legitimate, sustainable development, two traits that are hard to not appreciate when you watch Flores play.
“He’s shown a lot of improvement -- offensively and defensively, with his receiving and throwing,” Kelly said. “Throwing might be the thing that stands out to me the most with how much better he’s gotten.
“Then his approach at the plate, you know he’s got power. But he’s going up there to hit and have good at-bats. He’s been having great at-bats.”
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.