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The Baltimore Orioles<\/strong> continued their roster reshaping on Wednesday, making a calculated move to address infield depth by claiming 24-year-old utility infielder Marco Luciano<\/strong> off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong>. The transaction reflects Baltimore\u2019s ongoing effort to strengthen organizational versatility while maintaining flexibility ahead of the upcoming season.<\/p>\n Luciano, a former top prospect who once ranked among the most highly touted young infielders in baseball, now gets a fresh opportunity with an Orioles organization known for player development and creative roster usage.<\/p>\n To make room for Luciano on the 40-man roster<\/strong>, the Orioles designated outfielder Jhonkensy Noel<\/strong> for assignment. Noel had just been claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians<\/strong> earlier in the week, underscoring how quickly roster decisions can evolve during the offseason.<\/p>\n Luciano\u2019s path to Baltimore has been anything but linear.<\/p>\n Originally signed by the San Francisco Giants<\/strong> as a high-profile international prospect, Luciano quickly rose through the minor league system thanks to his raw power, strong arm, and middle-infield potential. At one point, he was viewed as a future cornerstone for San Francisco.<\/p>\n However, injuries and inconsistency slowed his ascent, and his opportunities at the major league level became sporadic.<\/p>\n Luciano was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 5<\/strong>, but his tenure in Pittsburgh was short-lived. Less than two months later, the Orioles saw enough upside to add him to their roster, betting on youth, positional flexibility, and untapped offensive potential.<\/p>\n At the big league level, Luciano has yet to establish himself offensively, though his exposure has been limited.<\/p>\n Across 41 total MLB games between the 2023 and 2024 seasons<\/strong>, Luciano posted a .217 batting average<\/strong> with the Giants. His most extended stretch of big league action came in 2024<\/strong>, when he appeared in 27 games<\/strong>, hitting .211 with three RBIs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Those numbers don\u2019t jump off the page, but they also reflect a player who never received consistent playing time or a defined role. Most of Luciano\u2019s appearances came in short bursts, often during injury fill-ins or roster shuffling, making it difficult to build rhythm at the plate.<\/p>\n Defensively, Luciano has shown versatility, appearing at shortstop and second base<\/strong> in the majors \u2014 a key factor in Baltimore\u2019s decision to claim him.<\/p>\n While Luciano\u2019s major league numbers remain underwhelming, his 2025 Triple-A performance<\/strong> paints a more encouraging picture.<\/p>\n Playing for Triple-A Sacramento<\/strong>, Luciano appeared in 125 games<\/strong>, hitting .214<\/strong> while showcasing legitimate power:<\/p>\n 23 home runs<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 66 RBIs<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Consistent extra-base pop from the infield<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Although the batting average remains modest, the power production is significant \u2014 especially for a middle infielder. The Orioles are clearly intrigued by the idea that Luciano\u2019s raw strength could translate more effectively with mechanical adjustments, improved plate discipline, or a more clearly defined role.<\/p>\n Baltimore has developed a reputation for extracting value from players with flawed but intriguing profiles, and Luciano fits that mold.<\/p>\n The Orioles entered the week seeking a utility infielder<\/strong>, and Luciano checks several important boxes:<\/p>\n Age<\/strong>: At just 24, he still has developmental upside<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Positional flexibility<\/strong>: Experience at shortstop and second base<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Power potential<\/strong>: Rare pop for a middle infielder<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Roster control<\/strong>: Cost-effective depth option<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n With injuries and workload management always looming over a long MLB season, teams increasingly prioritize players who can move around the diamond without severely compromising offense or defense.<\/p>\n Luciano gives the Orioles another internal option who can serve as:<\/p>\n A bench utility infielder<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Injury insurance for the middle infield<\/p>\n<\/li>\n A potential platoon or matchup-based starter<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n To accommodate Luciano on the 40-man roster<\/strong>, Baltimore designated Jhonkensy Noel<\/strong> for assignment.<\/p>\n Noel, an outfielder known for his raw power, was claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians just days earlier<\/strong>. While the Orioles briefly took a chance on Noel\u2019s upside, the organization ultimately prioritized infield depth over outfield power.<\/p>\n The move highlights the reality of roster churn during the offseason. Even recently acquired players are not guaranteed long-term opportunities when a club identifies a more pressing need.<\/p>\n Noel will now either be:<\/p>\n Claimed by another team<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Traded<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Or, if unclaimed, outrighted to the minors<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The Orioles also made several quieter but noteworthy roster moves as part of their ongoing organizational adjustments.<\/p>\n Left-handed pitcher Josh Walker<\/strong> cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk<\/strong>. Walker remains valuable depth for an Orioles bullpen that has emphasized matchup-based usage and left-handed relief options in recent seasons.<\/p>\n Clearing waivers allows Baltimore to retain Walker within the organization without occupying a 40-man roster spot \u2014 an important consideration as the team continues fine-tuning its roster.<\/p>\n On Tuesday, Baltimore signed left-handed pitcher Eric Torres<\/strong> to a minor league contract<\/strong>. While Torres is not expected to factor into immediate major league plans, he provides additional organizational depth and competition at the Triple-A and Double-A levels.<\/p>\n Such moves are essential for sustaining pitching depth across a full season, especially for a team with postseason aspirations.<\/p>\n Luciano\u2019s future with the Orioles will depend on several factors:<\/p>\n His ability to improve contact consistency<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Defensive reliability at multiple infield positions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n How he performs in spring training or early-season opportunities<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Baltimore does not need Luciano to become a star. They need him to be useful, flexible, and productive in a limited role<\/strong>. If he can provide power off the bench, handle spot starts, and avoid being a defensive liability, he could carve out a meaningful role.<\/p>\n At 24, time is still on his side \u2014 but the margin for error is narrowing.<\/p>\n Claiming Marco Luciano off waivers is a low-risk, upside-driven decision<\/strong> for the Orioles. The cost is minimal, the roster need is real, and the potential reward \u2014 even in a limited capacity \u2014 could be significant.<\/p>\n For Luciano, it\u2019s another chance to reset his trajectory with a franchise that has demonstrated patience and creativity in player development.<\/p>\n For Baltimore, it\u2019s a reminder that depth, versatility, and upside often matter just as much as star power when building a sustainable contender.<\/p>\n As the offseason continues, moves like this \u2014 subtle but strategic \u2014 often prove just as important as headline-grabbing signings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Orioles Claim Marco Luciano Off Waivers to Bolster Infield Depth, Designate Jhonkensy Noel for Assignment The Baltimore Orioles continued their roster reshaping on Wednesday, making a calculated… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":136925,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-136908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nMarco Luciano\u2019s Journey: From Top Prospect to Waiver Claim<\/h2>\n
\nMajor League Performance: Limited Opportunity, Modest Results<\/h2>\n
\nTriple-A Power Suggests Untapped Upside<\/h2>\n
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\nWhy Luciano Fits the Orioles\u2019 Needs<\/h2>\n
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\nJhonkensy Noel Designated for Assignment<\/h2>\n
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\nAdditional Orioles Roster Notes<\/h2>\n
Josh Walker Clears Waivers<\/h3>\n
Orioles Sign Eric Torres to Minor League Deal<\/h3>\n
\nWhat\u2019s Next for Marco Luciano in Baltimore?<\/h2>\n
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\nFinal Thoughts: A Low-Risk, Upside-Oriented Move<\/h2>\n