Hard-Hitting Edward Florentino Checks Many Boxes For Pirates

He played in the Pirates’ Spring Breakout game. He ranked as the top position prospect in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League. Then the 18-year-old advanced to Low-A Bradenton, where he was named Florida State League player of the month for July.

Now, Florentino is a Top 100 Prospect.

Pirates farm director Michael Chernow didn’t seem surprised about Florentino’s success so far.

“We’re talking about a really high character, high work ethic, hungry, determined—all of the superlatives that you could throw there—he checks a lot of boxes,” he said. 

Florentino moved quickly through the FCL, posting a 1.084 OPS in 29 games before being promoted to Bradenton. In July, he hit .301/.433/.663 in the FSL with eight home runs and 16 stolen bases.

“He’s got quick hands through the zone,” Chernow said. “He has a really advanced feel for the strike zone, and when he pulls the trigger, it’s usually on a good pitch. He makes great swing decisions and he makes a ton of contact.”

Moving from the Rookie complex leagues to Low-A is more of a jump than many realize. It’s not uncommon for the lefthanded-hitting Florentino to face pitchers two or three years older than him. That hasn’t deterred him, no matter who he’s facing.

“This is the level where guys start to see more spin than they’ve ever seen before, and he’s hanging in there,” Chernow said. “He’s not afraid of the ball, he’s not afraid of lefthanded pitching, he does a really nice job staying consistent from an offensive standpoint in the box.”

Florentino is among the reasons why the Pirates now have the No. 2 farm system in baseball. At 6-foot-4 and with room to fill out, Florentino should only continue to impact the ball as he gets older. 

“He’s got some impact in there, and he’s got a really, really good swing as well, but all those different factors are why he continues to have success.”