Who is Marco Luciano?
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Marco Luciano signed with the Giants out of the Dominican Republic in 2018. The 19-year-old shortstop quickly rose to become San Francisco's No. 1 prospect. But who is Marco Luciano? Here’s what to know about the Giants prospect:
FAST FACTS
MLB organization: Giants
Birthdate: Sept. 10, 2001 (Age 19 in 2021)
Primary position: SS
Height/weight: 6-foot-12, 178 lbs.
Bats/throws: Right/right
Hometown: San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic
Signed: July 2, 2018 (by SF)
He is the Giants’ highest ranked prospect since Buster Posey
Whenever a prospect is mentioned in the same breath as an MVP and three-time World Series champion, you would think fans get a little giddy. Luciano ranks as the No. 13 prospect in baseball, the highest for San Francisco since Posey in 2010. The Giants haven’t had a great track record when it comes to developing international players though, as their only international player to become an All-Star was Pablo Sandoval. If all goes well, Luciano could become their second -- and their first Dominican-born player to do so.
He’s spent time with the big league club
Luciano hasn’t been called up to the Giants in the regular season yet, but he appeared at both Spring Training in 2021 and at the club’s alternate site in 2020. He played in 21 games with the Giants in the Cactus League, tied for third on the roster.
He has some major pop
One of Luciano’s biggest tools is his raw power. At 19 years old, he can already slug with the best of them. During rookie camp in 2020, Luciano launched a homer with a 119 mph exit velocity. There have only been six home runs in MLB recorded with an exit velocity of 119 mph or higher in the Statcast era (since 2015).
He made his professional debut in the US at 17
Usually, international prospects will debut in the Dominican Summer League upon signing. Luciano, however, went straight to the Arizona League in his first professional season. Not only did Luciano debut in the Arizona League at 17 years old in 2019, he also had 10 home runs and an OPS of 1.055 in 38 games. He was the youngest regular on the Giants Orange squad and made his way to short-season ball as well.
His trainer scouted him on accident
Luciano’s trainer, Edwin “Ray” Castillo, knew Luciano was special when he was training at Castillo's academy at just 12 years old, but Castillo was actually scouting a different player when he first discovered the youngster. Luciano himself knew he could make a career out of baseball at 14.