NEW YORK — The New York Yankees are taking a chance on a player who was once considered among the brightest young talents in all of MLB. The club claimed infielder and outfielder Marco Luciano off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.
The move brings a 24-year-old right-handed hitter with electric bat speed to the Bronx. But it also raises questions about what went wrong for a player who seemed destined for stardom just a few years ago.
Luciano joins the Yankees after bouncing between three organizations in just two months. The Dominican Republic native has not been able to find a permanent home since the San Francisco Giants designated him for assignment in December 2025.
From top prospect to waiver wire frequent flyer
The story of Marco Luciano reads like a cautionary tale for highly touted prospects. He signed with the Giants as a 16-year-old international free agent in July 2018. His $2.6 million bonus reflected his status as the second-ranked prospect in that year’s international class.
The early returns were spectacular. Luciano dominated the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2019. He batted .322 with a 1.054 OPS and 10 home runs in just 38 games. Baseball America named him a Rookie All-Star. The future looked incredibly bright.
MLB Pipeline ranked Luciano as the Giants’ top prospect from 2020 through 2024. He peaked at No. 13 on the overall Top 100 list in 2022. That placed him ahead of current MLB stars like Corbin Carroll, Hunter Greene and Gunnar Henderson.
Then reality set in. The COVID-19 pandemic canceled his 2020 minor league season. Injuries slowed his progress in subsequent years. A lower back strain cost him significant time in 2022. A hamstring issue sidelined him in 2023.
Yankees claim former blue-chip prospect off waivers
The Yankees confirmed the waiver claim through their official public relations account on X. Luciano becomes the latest low-risk addition to a roster taking shape for the 2026 season.
His major league numbers have been underwhelming. In 41 games with the Giants from 2023 to 2024, Luciano batted just .217 with a .590 OPS. He has yet to hit a home run at the big league level despite his reputation for raw power.
The 2025 season offered little encouragement. Luciano spent the entire year with Triple-A Sacramento. He slashed .214/.335/.413 with 23 home runs and 66 RBI in 125 games. The power was there. The consistency was not.
His overall minor league career line sits at .246/.355/.445 across 500 games. Those numbers suggest a player with potential but one who has struggled to put it all together.
A whirlwind journey through three organizations
The past two months have been a blur for Luciano. The Giants designated him for assignment in early December. The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed him on Dec. 5. They held him for just two weeks before letting him go.
The Orioles picked him up on Jan. 7. Baltimore hoped Luciano would pass through waivers unclaimed so they could keep him in their system. Their division rivals had other plans.
The Yankees now become the fourth organization to roster Luciano since November. The move fills their 40-man roster. At least one additional roster move will be needed when the club officially announces the Cody Bellinger signing.
What Luciano brings to the Bronx
The Yankees are betting on Luciano’s tools and youth. He is still just 24 years old. His bat speed remains electric. The right-handed power could play well in the short porch at Yankee Stadium.
Defensively, Luciano offers versatility. He has played shortstop and second base at the major league level. He spent most of 2025 in left field with Sacramento. That flexibility could prove valuable for manager Aaron Boone.
There is one significant complication. Luciano has no minor league options remaining. He must either make the 26-man roster out of spring training or be exposed to waivers once again.
Roster implications for the Yankees
The path to a roster spot will not be easy. Oswaldo Cabrera and Jasson Dominguez both have options and more experience. They figure to have the inside track on bench roles.
Bellinger agreed to a five-year, $162.5 million contract on Wednesday. That deal is pending a physical. His addition will require the Yankees to clear a 40-man roster spot.
If the Yankees designate Luciano for assignment and he clears waivers, they could outright him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. That would keep him in the organization while freeing roster space.
A gamble worth taking for New York
The Yankees have little to lose with this claim. Luciano costs nothing beyond his pre-arbitration salary. The upside, however slim, could be significant.
History shows that former top prospects sometimes find success with a change of scenery. A fresh start, new coaching and different surroundings can unlock dormant potential.
Spring training will provide answers. Luciano will have a chance to show whether his bat speed and power can finally translate to the highest level. For now, the Yankees are content to take the gamble and see what happens.
The club continues building depth for a season filled with championship expectations. Every roster spot matters. Even the ones filled by players on their third team in two months.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
