The Yankees are rolling the dice on a once-hyped prospect, hoping a change of scenery can unlock the potential that once had scouts buzzing.
On the heels of Cody Bellinger’s $162.5 million return, New York quietly made a move with far less fanfare but some intriguing upside-claiming 24-year-old outfielder Marco Luciano off waivers from the Orioles. It’s the third time this winter Luciano has been claimed, bouncing from the Giants to the Pirates, then to Baltimore, and now landing in the Bronx.
Luciano’s name might ring a bell for prospect watchers. Once considered one of the top shortstop prospects in all of baseball, the Dominican native was signed by the Giants for $2.6 million as a 16-year-old back in 2018.
He spent six straight years ranked among San Francisco’s top three prospects, even claiming the No. 1 spot in 2021 and 2022 on MLB Pipeline’s rankings. He was also a fixture on Baseball America’s Top 100 list for five consecutive seasons, peaking at No. 12 heading into 2021.
So what happened?
The tools were never in question. Luciano was praised for his elite bat speed, raw power, and a right-handed swing that could generate loft and damage.
Scouts raved about his ability to use the whole field, his plate discipline, and his plus arm strength. The only real knock was whether he had the footspeed to stick at shortstop long-term.
Even then, the fallback options-third base or right field-still projected as solid fits for his skillset.
But the production hasn’t matched the promise. Luciano made his MLB debut with the Giants between 2023 and 2024, appearing in 41 games and hitting just .217 with three RBI and 45 strikeouts in 81 plate appearances. That’s a 55.6% strikeout rate-an unsustainable number at any level, let alone the bigs.
He spent all of 2025 in Triple-A Sacramento, where he posted a .214 average with 23 home runs, 66 RBI, and 10 stolen bases over 125 games. The power is still there, but the swing-and-miss issues persist. His 29.6% strikeout rate (170 strikeouts in 555 plate appearances) underscores the challenge: the raw tools are still flashing, but the contact isn’t consistent.
Luciano also made a defensive shift last season, moving from the infield to the outfield. He started 107 games in left field, 17 as a designated hitter, and even one at first base. At 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, he’s got the physicality to handle corner spots, and the Yankees are clearly intrigued by what he might become with some development and stability.
The timing of the move is notable. The Yankees had one open spot on their 40-man roster, and they used it on Luciano-before finalizing Bellinger’s return. Once Bellinger passes his physical and officially rejoins the roster, the Yankees will need to make another move to clear space.
That tells you something about how they view Luciano. This wasn’t just a depth move-they see something worth protecting. Whether it’s the power, the arm, or the belief that their player development staff can help refine his approach, the Yankees are betting that the former top prospect still has something left in the tank.
It’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward play. Luciano’s journey from prized shortstop to waiver-wire wanderer has been anything but linear, but at just 24, there’s still time for him to rewrite the narrative. And if the Yankees can tap into even a fraction of the upside that once had him labeled a future star, this could end up being a savvy pickup.