The Baltimore Orioles aren’t just tinkering around the edges this offseason – they’re making moves with intent. After briefly bringing in slugger Jhonkensy Noel from the Guardians, Baltimore continued its search for young, controllable talent by turning the page quickly and claiming 24-year-old infielder Marco Luciano off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated Noel for assignment just days after picking him up. It’s a reminder of how fluid things can be this time of year, especially when a team is trying to stockpile upside.
Luciano, originally signed out of the Dominican Republic by the San Francisco Giants back in 2018, isn’t just another name on the waiver wire. For a time, he was the name in the Giants’ system.
By 2021, he had climbed to the top of their prospect rankings, leapfrogging former top pick Joey Bart to sit at No. 1 on MLB Pipeline. His raw power and quick hands made him one of the most exciting young shortstops in the minors.
But the transition to the big leagues hasn’t been smooth. In 41 games with San Francisco across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Luciano struggled to find his footing, posting a -0.3 bWAR and striking out 45 times in just 126 plate appearances.
That kind of swing-and-miss rate is tough to carry, especially for a team trying to compete. Still, the tools that made him a top prospect haven’t disappeared – it’s just a matter of refining them.
Baltimore may not be banking on Luciano to contribute right away, but they’re clearly intrigued by the upside. He’s likely to start the year at Triple-A Norfolk, where he’ll have a chance to get regular reps and clean up some of the holes in his swing. But if injuries strike – particularly to young stars like Gunnar Henderson or Jackson Holliday – Luciano could be one of the next men up.
There’s also a wrinkle here that adds to his value: while Luciano has primarily been an infielder, he spent a good chunk of time in left field at Triple-A Sacramento last season. That kind of positional flexibility could be a key to cracking Baltimore’s roster, especially with the Orioles placing a premium on versatility.
This isn’t a blockbuster move, but it’s the kind of calculated risk that can pay off in a big way. Luciano’s pedigree is real, and the Orioles have shown a knack for developing young talent. If they can tap into what made him a top prospect not long ago, this waiver claim might end up being one of the more interesting under-the-radar moves of the offseason.
