Former San Francisco Giants' top prospect, Marco Luciano, is set to continue his baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Giants announced on Friday that Luciano was claimed off outright waivers by the Pirates, marking the end of his time with the San Francisco organization.
This move wasn't entirely unexpected. Luciano, at 24 years old, was out of minor-league options and didn't seem to fit into the Giants' plans for the upcoming season. The Giants' acquisition of outfielder Joey Wiemer further suggested that they were prepared to move on from Luciano.
Luciano, initially an infielder, transitioned to the outfield last offseason. However, he didn't play a single game for the Giants in 2025. Instead, he played for Triple-A Sacramento, where he hit .214/.335/.413 with 23 home runs. His wRC+ indicated he was slightly below the league average hitter in the Pacific Coast League.
Luciano's journey with the Giants began in July 2018 when he signed as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic for $2.6 million. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the organization's most promising prospects.
He made his Major League debut in 2023, playing in 14 games and hitting .231. In the spring training of 2024, he was the frontrunner to become the team's Opening Day shortstop and the successor to Brandon Crawford. However, these plans didn't materialize. The Giants signed Nick Ahmed during spring training, who then became the Opening Day shortstop, while Luciano started the season with Triple-A Sacramento.
The Pirates are taking a chance on Luciano, hoping he can rediscover the potential that once made him a highly-regarded prospect. While his major league performance has been underwhelming (.217/.286/.304 in 41 games) and his Triple-A numbers are also modest (.227/.351/.401), his youth and athleticism offer hope for future development.
It remains to be seen what position the Pirates envision for Luciano. He has primarily played shortstop but also gained experience in left field at Triple-A Sacramento. His versatility could be an asset for the Pirates as they look to integrate him into their roster.
What's Next for Luciano?
Luciano now faces a new challenge with the Pirates. He'll need to prove his worth and demonstrate the skills that made him a top prospect. The Pirates will likely give him opportunities to showcase his abilities, and it will be up to Luciano to seize them.