Pirates Claim Former Top Infielder Prospect Off Waivers

The Pittsburgh Pirates will take a low-risk flier on a former top prospect who’s yet to meet the hype.

Pittsburgh claimed Marco Luciano off waivers from the San Francisco Giants on Friday, a move the Giants confirmed on social media. It’s an unceremonious exit for an infielder who once brandished considerable upside.

Luciano began the 2021 season as the No. 8-ranked prospect on Baseball Prospectus. Baseball America and MLB.com placed him No. 12 and No. 16, respectively, and he climbed to No. 13 on MLB.com’s list the following spring.

Three years ago, MLB.com’s scouting report said Luciano possessed “the bat to be a superstar” whether he ended up playing shortstop or third base. The 2018 international signing hit 19 home runs with an .815 OPS as a 19-year-old in 2021.

Luciano slugged .459 in High-A the following year, but his upward climb stalled when he batted .223 with a 31.3 strikeout percentage at Double-A and Triple-A in 2023. He nevertheless made an uninspiring MLB debut in 2024, batting .211/.259/.303 with zero home runs in 27 games with the Giants.

San Francisco kept Luciano at Triple-A for all of 2025. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder didn’t force another promotion, slashing .214/.335/.413 with 23 homers and a 30.6 percent strikeout rate.

The Pirates will look to unlock the slugger’s upside, but Luciano may not stay with the organization too long. Since he’s out of minor league options, Luciano must make the Opening Day roster to avoid getting designated for assignment.

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