Call to Majors gives Bucs' No. 8 prospect sweaty hands of the best kind

PITTSBURGH -- Rafael Flores was getting ready for his game against the Gwinnett Stripers when he got a text message from his manager at Triple-A Indianapolis, Shawn Bowman, telling him to go to the lobby. Bowman told him that he was getting scratched from the lineup.

When Flores pushed back, asking why, Bowman told him it was because he was going to Pittsburgh.

“I tried not to cry, but it's kind of the moment you want your entire life,” said Flores, a catcher and first baseman. “It happens, and your hands get sweaty and it's a great moment."

As Flores shared the news with his mother, Silvia, she asked, “So you’re not coming home soon?” No, there is still some season to be played, in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates selected the contract of their No. 8 prospect in the MLB Pipeline rankings before Tuesday’s game against the Cubs and optioned infielder Liover Peguero to Indianapolis.

In fairness to Silvia Flores, nothing about the last couple months has been expected, including that he was called up to the Majors with the Pirates.

Flores was acquired from the Yankees in the David Bednar deal at the Trade Deadline, alongside catcher/first baseman Edgleen Perez (now the Pirates’ No. 17 prospect) and outfielder Brian Sanchez. Flores found out he was part of the package by watching it on television and social media, rather than being told. He had been promoted to Triple-A shortly before the deal, and now he was on the move again.

"Getting traded definitely was a little weird,” Flores said. “It's something you're not really taught to do. You kind of just have to go through it, and I think it was all a benefit for me. I got here, and I was uncomfortable. I used that uncomfortable feeling to my benefit. I've continued to just swing it and, like I said, stay healthy. I feel like that's my biggest strength, staying healthy and being able to play every day.”

If there has been an area for consistency this year, it has been at the plate. Flores homered 15 times with an .842 OPS in Double-A. He posted a slash line of .281/.363/.459 with six home runs in his 36 games with Indianapolis.

“I think at every level you get to, it’s a different game,” Flores said. “Guys pitch to your weaknesses. Guys pitch with stuff. It’s just a matter of understanding all of that and adapting to the game. Once you adapt, you cruise from there.”

That pop has obvious appeal for the Pirates, who entered Tuesday last in the Majors in home runs (107) and slugging (.348). Those struggles are more dire at the catching position, where Pirates backstops slugged just .288 entering Tuesday.

"Reports that we've gotten [say he’s a] really good receiver and good at first base, and obviously the power that he's shown,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “The ability to hit is a huge asset for us."

Kelly said that Flores will see playing time at both first base and catcher on a part-time basis. Flores was eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this coming winter, so he would need to be added to the 40-man roster, anyway. The Pirates opted for him to get his feet wet in the Majors first.

Any chance to build up a head of steam for 2026 can only be advantageous, especially considering how Flores was acquired. It’s not fair to judge a player based on who they were traded for, but Bednar was a fan favorite and a major contributor. If the Pirates want to be competitive in 2026, getting an immediate return on that trade would help immensely.

Regardless, Flores isn’t hung up on how he became a Pirate, just what lies ahead.

“I try and not focus on the things I can’t control,” Flores said. “I’d like to always just focus on the things I can control. ... It’s easy to get in that mindset of thinking, ‘Oh, I have to perform because I got traded for somebody.’ But, at the end of the day, we’re all playing baseball to be successful and help us win.”