
Rafael Flores Selected by Pittsburgh
Published on September 16, 2025 under International League (IL)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Pittsburgh Pirates today selected the contract of catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores, their No. 8 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He is set to become the eighth former Indianapolis Indian to make his major league debut this season, following right-handed pitchers Thomas Harrington and Braxton Ashcraft, infielder Tsung-Che Cheng, outfielder Matt Gorski, right-handed pitchers Cam Sanders and Bubba Chandler, and infielder Cam Devanney.
Flores, 24, was traded to Pittsburgh from New York (AL) on July 31, 2025, with catcher Edgleen Perez and outfielder Brian Sanchez in exchange for right-handed reliever David Bednar. Flores appeared in 36 games with Indianapolis following the trade, hitting .281 (38-for-135) with six home runs, 28 RBI and an .822 OPS. On Aug. 26 vs, Buffalo, he launched a career-high tying two home runs for his first multi-homer game at the Triple-A level.
The backstop appeared 133 games between Double-A Somerset, Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Indianapolis this season, posting career highs in hits (142), home runs (22) and RBI (88). In 91 total games behind the dish, he logged a .987 fielding percentage (12 errors in 907 total chances) across 798.0 innings.
Flores was signed by New York (AL) on July 25, 2022, as a non-drafted free agent out of Rio Hondo Junior College (Whittier, Calif.).
Indianapolis' first-time callups are presented by Franciscan Health.
International League Stories from September 16, 2025
- Mendlinger Homer Lifts Memphis Past St. Paul in Opener - Memphis Redbirds
- Iowa Drops Fourth Straight with 8-4 Loss to Toledo - Iowa Cubs
- Mud Hens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with 8-4 Win over Cubs - Toledo Mud Hens
- Morris Continues Impressive String Since Returning from IL, But Saints Lose 10th Straight Road Game, 7-6 - St. Paul Saints
- Indians Take Series Opener at Gwinnett - Indianapolis Indians
- Hackenberg and Logan Impress But Knights Come up Short - Charlotte Knights
- IronPigs Eliminated from Postseason Contention with Loss to Mets - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Bisons Fall to RailRiders to Open Homestand, 3-1 - Buffalo Bisons
- Keegan, Bulls Blast Past Knights 9-6 - Durham Bulls
- Winans' Strong Start Lifts RailRiders over Buffalo - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Omaha Drops Series Opener to Columbus 9-2 - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Bats Begin Final Series with 3-1 Victory over Sounds - Louisville Bats
- Red Wings Comeback Falls Just Short in Worcester - Rochester Red Wings
- Webb Nearly Unhittable as Clippers Win Big - Columbus Clippers
- September 16 Game Notes: Iowa Cubs vs. Toledo Mud Hens - Iowa Cubs
- Rafael Flores Selected by Pittsburgh - Indianapolis Indians
- Tuesday Night's Game vs. Jacksonville Postponed - Norfolk Tides
- Jacksonville and Norfolk Series Opener Postponed Tuesday - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- SWB RailRiders Game Notes- September 16, 2025 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - September 16 at Worcester - Rochester Red Wings
- Honey Drippers Nominated for MiLB Best New Alternate Identity - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Indianapolis Indians Stories
- Rowdie's Home Plate Holiday Set for Saturday, December 6
- A Deep Dive into Indy's Original Home Team
- Indianapolis Indians Announce 2026 Schedule
- Fifteen Former Indians Highlight 2025 MLB Division Series Rosters
- New Look, Same Team: Indianapolis Indians Unveil New Team Logos


