By Antonio Puesán
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (dplbaseball.com) Shortstop Marco Luciano became the 19th player from the Dominican Prospect League to be selected as the first pick in the Dominican League Rookie Recruitment Draw. (LIDOM)
“He is a special player inside and outside, with an impact on defense and offense, he is one of those players who are not very frequent in the league,” said Félix Peguero, General Manager of the Estrellas Orientales.
Estrellas operations department took the highest-priced player of those presented in the 2021 Draft as the first selection of the event.
“We have plans with him, he wants to play, he’s very hungry and he’s very intrigued by the winter league,” Peguero admitted about Luciano, who belongs to the San Francisco Giants.
After two years of international spending restrictions after signing Lucius Fox for $ 6 million in 2015, the Giants came out of the penalty area and were able to sign Luciano for $ 2.6 million in 2018.
“First of all I thank Lidom for the opportunity to be able to play in my country. It is a dream that I have always had since I was little. I feel very proud, “said Luciano through a video released after his choice.
In 2019, he hit .302 /.417 /.564 at Northwest League short season at 17. He spent the past year exposing himself to much more experienced pitchers at the San Francisco alternate training site and getting more reps in the instructional league.
Félix Peguero, pondered the selection of the native of Pimentel, who currently plays with the Eugene Emeralds Advanced Class A team.
“Marco is a special player on and off the field, who impacts the game defense and offense. He is a super athlete. We are seeing one of these players who do not pass and are not very constant in the league. He has a great appetite for the game, ”said Peguero.
Luciano’s batting speed and raw power are among the best in the Minor Leagues and stand out in particular for a middle infielder.
In addition to his offense, Luciano also offers more arm strength, a high baseball IQ, and good deeds at shortstop.
He has the tools to be a solid defender anywhere and his bat makes him a potential superstar wherever he plays.
Marco Luciano isn’t just the Giants’ best prospect. He’s also getting closer and closer to becoming the best prospect in all baseball.
MLB Pipeline released its latest Top 100 prospect ranking and Luciano moved up to No. 5 overall. That makes him the second-best shortstop prospect behind Bobby Witt Jr., who was the second overall pick in 2019.
Luciano, 19, is also the youngest player in the top eight prospects.
The young shortstop wasn’t alone in the Top 100. Three other Giants prospects made the MLB Pipeline list of the most recent rankings. Behind Luciano are Joey Bart (16), Luis Matos (84) and Heliot Ramos (87).
Adalberto Mondesí was the first Dominican Prospect League alumnus to be selected as the first pick of the event in 2013.
Then they continued; Ronald Guzmán, Manuel Margot, Wilmer Difó, Willy Adames, Domingo Leyba, Richard Ureña, Fernando Tatis Jr. Also Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Leody Taveras, Juan Soto, Vidal Bruján, Jeisson Rosario, Luis García, Julio Rodríguez, Seuly Matías, Ronny Mauricio and Julio Y. Rodríguez.
