The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed utilityman Marco Luciano off waivers from the San Francisco Giants on Friday, adding a former top prospect to their roster. Luciano, 24, signed with the Giants for $2.6 million in 2018 but struggled to meet expectations in the majors. He now joins the Pirates out of minor league options.
The Pittsburgh Pirates bolstered their infield and outfield depth by claiming Marco Luciano, a 24-year-old utilityman and former top prospect of the San Francisco Giants, off waivers on Friday. Luciano, who signed as one of the biggest international free agents in 2018 for a $2.6 million bonus out of the Dominican Republic, appeared in 41 major league games with the Giants between 2023 and 2024, batting .217 with a .590 OPS over 126 plate appearances.
A natural middle infielder, Luciano faced challenges defensively and was shifted to the outfield during spring training in 2024. He spent the entire season at Triple-A, playing left field in 107 games while committing six errors and posting a .214/.335/.413 slash line with 23 home runs over 555 plate appearances. Reports vary slightly on his Triple-A games played, with some noting 125 games and a .748 OPS, but he showed strength against left-handed pitching with a .986 OPS.
Ranked as the Giants' No. 2 prospect and No. 39 overall by MLB Pipeline in 2024, Luciano did not appear in the majors this year and was among San Francisco's early spring training cuts. Out of minor league options, he must make the Pirates' major league roster out of camp or face designation for assignment. In Pittsburgh, he could reunite with catcher Joey Bart, another ex-Giants top prospect who thrived after a change of scenery.
The move leaves the Pirates with 39 players on their 40-man roster ahead of the Winter Meetings starting Monday and the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday. The Giants also sit at 39 after the transaction, held in Orlando, Florida.