The franchise of New York Yankees has complained to the utility Marco Luciano of the exemptions Baltimore Oriolesas announced this Thursday, January 22, by both clubs.
a week ago, Baltimore Orioles had designated for assignment to “versatile” 24-year-old Dominican player. Now, New York Yankees has claimed him in a surprising move, considering that they logically have a place within the 40 men, but the new agreement to re-sign Cody Bellinger It’s not official yet and the roster is full.
Nevertheless, New York Yankees will require a corresponding move for Bellinger, one of their top players for 2026. While Luciano will likely start in the Minor Leagues this year. Likewise, the right-handed hitter who can play with ease in the infield and outfield could be of great use to the first team in case of any eventuality.
The New York Yankees claimed Marco Luciano off waivers from the Orioles.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 22, 2026
The new player in the Yankees organization has great talent
Marco Luciano He came to be considered one of the best prospects in baseball. In 2018, San Francisco Giants gave him a $2.6 million signing bonus as an international amateur outside of the Dominican Republic.
At that time he showed enormous power potential from the shortstop position and the specialized magazine, Baseball Americaranked him as the No. 12 prospect in the league in 2021. Since then, his glove has shrunk as he has been moved to left field, putting more pressure on him to provide value with the bat.
Unfortunately, his high strikeout rate has followed him since he reached the upper levels. In the last two years (Triple A) he has recorded 939 appearances at home plate (208 games). In that span, his walk rate is 16% with a .354 OBP and 101 wRC+. In addition, he has 33 home runs, 106 RBIs and 14 stolen bases.
New York could be his second major league team
Between 2023 and 2024, Marco Luciano He accumulated 126 plate appearances wearing the uniform of San Francisco Giants. It didn’t go well at the highest level. His strikeout rate was 35.7%, his walk rate was 8.7%, and his on-base average was quite modest (.286) with a poor 68 wRC+.
He has not been able to hit a home run in MLB, although he has recorded 25 hits, eight doubles, a triple and three RBIs. The Dominican is still young and has a great chance of playing in the Major Leagues again. He has the necessary talent to achieve that goal.
Con New York Yankees You shouldn’t have much choice this year. However, his ability to play in various defensive positions could put him in a good position in case the big team needs the services of a player with his characteristics. In the Dominican Winter League 2025-26, with the Eastern BullsLuciano displays an anemic offensive line of .083/.267/.083/.350. In 10 games in which he saw action, he only had one hit and was fanned eight times.
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Historian and Analyst of Cuban Baseball and MLB
Graduated in Physical Culture in 1995 in Havana, Cuba. Specialized in the history and analysis of Cuban baseball and the Major Leagues (MLB).
