Pirates power prospect Tony Blanco Jr. joins North Shore Nine to talk about his journey through the minors, his elite raw power, and his goals heading into 2026.

At just 20 years old, Blanco Jr. already boasts some of the hardest exit velocities in professional baseball—and he’s just scratching the surface. In this conversation, he opens up about battling injuries, learning to balance power and contact, and what it’s like to be a 6’7” slugger with major-league potential.

We also dive into his development at Bradenton, his focus on staying healthy, and the adjustments he’s made to refine his swing and approach.
This is the full story behind one of the Pirates’ most intriguing and powerful young hitters.

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Former Pirates catcher and current SportsNet Pittsburgh analyst Michael “Fort” McKenry joins the guys to break down the Pirates’ catching situation heading into 2026. The crew debates Henry Davis vs. Joey Bart vs. Rafael Flores, talks about whether defense or offense matters more behind the plate, and gets Fort’s firsthand perspective on what makes a good catcher in today’s game.

They also discuss Bryan Reynolds’ struggles, the Bednar trade fallout, and which players gave fans real hope heading into next season — from Spencer Horwitz’s breakout to Isaac Mattson’s rise. Plus, McKenry shares stories from his time in the Arizona Fall League and life around the game post-retirement.

Watch the full episode now and subscribe for more Pittsburgh Pirates talk from North Shore Nine presented by FanDuel.

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Pirates slugger Esmerlyn Valdez joins North Shore Nine fresh off an incredible 2025 season that saw him named South Atlantic League MVP and selected to the Futures Game.

Valdez talks about his breakout power surge, hitting 26 home runs between Greensboro and Altoona, what clicked for him at the plate, and how it felt to represent the Pirates among the game’s top prospects. We also dive into his approach to hitting lefties, his continued growth in Double-A, and what he’s focusing on as he looks ahead to 2026.

One of the most exciting young bats in the system—this is the full story behind Esmerlyn Valdez’s rise to Pirates stardom.

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