Rafael Flores

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #5 prospect in 2026
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Mild
  
  Adjusted Grade: 40
  
  Track Record: Flores went undrafted in 2022 after stints at two California junior colleges and was playing summer ball in Alaska when the Yankees signed him for just $75,000. Three years later, that decision looks like a remarkable bit of scouting and development. After a swing change early on as a pro, Flores slugged his way to the upper minors, producing 20-plus homers in each of the past two seasons. The Pirates acquired him as the lead piece in the 2025 deadline deal that sent closer David Bednar to New York. He debuted for Pittsburgh in September.
  
  Scouting Report: Power is Flores’ carrying tool. The sturdily built righthanded hitter employs a big leg kick and above-average bat speed to generate some of the loudest exit velocities in Pittsburgh’s system and all-fields power. The tradeoff is considerable swing-and-miss. Flores whiffed nearly a third of the time in the minors in 2025 and remains vulnerable up in the zone and on the inner third. The Pirates believe further swing adjustments—particularly improving rotation efficiency and barrel adjustability—could help him tap into even more consistent pull-side juice. Defensively, Flores is a serviceable receiver with adequate framing and game-calling skills, though his slower transfer and inconsistent throwing accuracy raise questions about his long-term upside behind the plate. He logged most of his minor league innings at catcher but also saw time at first base, where he appeared in six of his seven big league games.
  
  The Future: Flores’ swing-and-miss remains a blemish on his right-on-right profile, but his power and defensive versatility across catcher and first base give him a chance to emerge as an everyday regular. He should compete for a big league role out of spring training in 2026.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 40.