The Greensboro Grasshoppers scored 35 runs over their three games during opening weekend, taking two of three against the Asheville Tourists.

First National Bank Field is known to be hitter-friendly, but the offensive explosion went further than that. The Grasshoppers stole 14 bases over the weekend, tied for the second most among all teams Double-A or below (any team that started their season over the weekend). 

Leading the way offensively was Esmerlyn Valdez, who led the Florida State League in home runs in 2024. He picked up seven hits in 13 at-bats over the weekend, including his first home run of the season. While strikeouts were a bit of an issue last year, he went the entire weekend without one and also recorded two walks.

Valdez has some of the best raw power in the entire system and made a strong first impression in his High-A debut. 

Some of the best prospects in the Pirates system were in action this past week, here's a look at how they performed over the past seven days:

1. RHP Bubba Chandler, Indianapolis 

GS, 2 2/3 IP, H, 3 BB, 4 K

2. SS/CF Konnor Griffin, Bradenton

3 GP, 2-12, 2 SB, 2 R, BB, 7 K

3. RHP Thomas Harrington, Pittsburgh

GS, 0-1, 4 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 2 K

4. 2B Termarr Johnson, Altoona

2 GP, 2-8, 2B, SB, BB, K

5. RHP Braxton Ashcraft, Indianapolis

GS, 5 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, BB, 5 K 

6. LHP Hunter Barco, Altoona

GS, 4 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 HB, 3 K

7. 2B Nick Yorke, Indianapolis

3 GP, 4-11, 3 2B, RBI, 2 BB, 4 K

8. RHP Mike Burrows, Indianapolis

2 GS, 6 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K

9. RHP Zander Mueth, Bradenton

GS, 4 IP, 3 H, 5 ER, 3 HB, 5 K

10. SS Wyatt Sanford, Florida Complex League

Did not play