Pirates prospect Rafael Flores hopes to showcase power, versatility in 1st MLB taste

The departure of affable hometown closer David Bednar, traded to the New York Yankees on July 31, was a painful moment for Pittsburgh Pirates fans, who could do nothing but sit back and deal with a popular player being shipped away to a contender.

But what’s done is done. Bednar is wearing pinstripes and the Pirates, whose postseason prospects evaporated months ago, still have two weeks of the regular season left to complete.

Looking to become a factor in the Pirates’ remaining 2025 contests is catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores, the centerpiece of the return package New York gave up for Bednar.

Flores, 24, was with Triple-A Indianapolis when he had his contract selected by the Pirates on Tuesday afternoon.

“Crazy,” Flores said of the big-league call-up whirlwind. “I’m on two hours of sleep, but we’re here and it’s awesome. (Pittsburgh) is amazing – first time here – and I’m all smiles right now. It’s great. … I’m just speechless. The fact that I’m here is crazy. It’s just too good to be true.”

Flores started at first base Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs and went 1 for 3 with a strikeout, a double and a walk.

Upon joining the Pirates organization, Flores was promptly ranked as its No. 8 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline.

A 6-foot-4, 232-pound specimen who bats and throws right-handed, Flores spent the majority of 2025 in the Yankees system at Double-A Somerset, where he slashed .287/.346/.496 with 15 homers and 56 RBIs before being promoted to Triple-A on July 19.

Less than two weeks later, he was traded to the Pirates, news of which he found out himself and not from the Yankees.

“Weird, weird situation,” Flores said. “I saw it on TV. I saw it on social media. Then it took a while after for the Yankees to tell me it was official. Definitely not what I expected, but it’s part of it. I’m not going to complain. … It was a crazy day, but we got through it and we’re here now, so that’s all that matters.”

Flores navigated a slow start with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, but upon getting settled with the Indianapolis Indians, he continued the production showcased at Double-A.

When the Pirates came calling, he was batting .281 with six homers and 28 RBIs through 36 games with the Indians.

Manager Don Kelly was excited to get an initial look at Flores, who will see action at both first base and catcher.

“He’s going to be protected in the offseason, for sure,” Kelly said. “And to get him up here and get him the experience of being in the big leagues, the emotions that come with that, to be able to have two weeks here to get into the meetings, get into games, get that, you know, ‘the firsts’ out of the way and to be able to see him, see what he can do at the big league level.

“He’s had a good year so far in Double-A and in Triple-A, especially at Indianapolis. He’s made some adjustments, (so) really excited to add him into the mix here.”

Defensively, Flores has seen significant action at both of his positions in the minor leagues, playing 114 games (972 innings) at first base and 195 (1,671 2/3 innings) at catcher, per Baseball Reference.

At Indianapolis, he started seven games at first and 21 behind the plate.

While Kelly said that Flores won’t immediately turn into an everyday player for the Pirates, intel received from Indianapolis was encouraging.

“Reports that we’ve gotten (is that he’s) a really good receiver and good at first base,” Kelly said. “And obviously, the power that he’s shown and the ability to hit is a huge asset for us.”

To Kelly’s point, Flores has indeed demonstrated an ability to barrel the baseball as a minor-leaguer, putting together a 21-homer campaign in 122 games between High-A and Double A last year.

This season, split between Double A and the Yankees’ and Pirates’ Triple-A affiliates, Flores has hit 22 home runs with 88 RBIs through 133 contests.

In Flores’ eyes, he has far from peaked in terms of hitting for power.

“I think I haven’t fully peaked in my strength,” Flores said. “I know there’s still so much room in the weight room, and trying to get a consistent diet (in the minors) is a little tough. Now I’m going to be able to eat good every single day.

“The strength is going to stay throughout the year. I won’t really lose weight. It’s just going to be consistent. It’s super exciting.”

Kelly declined to speculate ahead to spring training in 2026 and if Flores is considered a player who will come in and compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster.

That, of course, is a ways in the future and not a decision Kelly himself will make.

But Flores is without question viewing his first stint in the big leagues as an opportunity to demonstrate to the Pirates what he’s about and what he can do.

“I think everybody knows numbers-wise what I’m capable of,” Flores said. “I think I just want to show my personality, show who I really am. I’m going to come here and play full – happy, smile, really show who I am on the field. I think I just want to maintain that throughout the year.”