Imagine a player once hailed as a future superstar, only to find themselves bouncing between teams like a hot potato. That’s the story of Marco Luciano, a right-handed power hitter who’s now landed with the Yankees—just as Cody Bellinger’s return to the team makes headlines. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Luciano’s journey is far from ordinary, and his addition to the Yankees’ roster raises questions about the team’s strategy and his own potential resurgence.
Just a day after Cody Bellinger re-signed with the Yankees for a staggering $162.5 million over five seasons, the team made a quieter but equally fascinating move by claiming Marco Luciano off waivers from the Orioles. Luciano, a 24-year-old Dominican talent, has been on a whirlwind tour this winter, changing organizations three times since December. First claimed by the Pirates, then the Orioles, and now the Yankees, his journey is a testament to the unpredictability of baseball’s waiver wire.
Once a top-tier prospect, Luciano was signed by the Giants for $2.6 million at just 16 years old in 2018. For six consecutive seasons, he was ranked among the Giants’ top three prospects, even reaching the No. 1 spot in 2021 and 2022. Baseball America also placed him in their top 100 MLB prospects for five straight years, peaking at No. 12 in 2021. His scouting reports were glowing, with MLB Pipeline praising his ‘lightning-fast right-handed stroke’ and ‘raw power that ranks among the best in the minors.’ But here’s the part most people miss: despite his potential, Luciano’s transition to the majors has been rocky.
After batting just .217 with three RBIs and 45 strikeouts in 41 games with the Giants from 2023-24, Luciano spent all of 2025 in Triple-A Sacramento. Last year, he made a position switch from middle infield to left field, hitting .214 with 23 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 10 steals in 125 games. While his power was evident, his high strikeout rate (29.6%) raised concerns. And this is where it gets controversial: can Luciano still live up to his ‘potential superstar’ label, or is he destined to be a bench piece?
The Yankees seem to believe there’s untapped potential, as they used their only available 40-man roster spot on him before finalizing Bellinger’s return. But once Bellinger’s physical is complete, someone will have to be dropped from the roster. Is Luciano worth the gamble? His tools—including plus arm strength, baseball IQ, and raw power—suggest he could still be a game-changer, even if it’s not at shortstop. The worst-case scenario, according to scouts, is a move to third base or right field, where his bat could still make him a standout player.
But here’s the burning question: Are the Yankees setting Luciano up for success, or is this just a low-risk, high-reward experiment? And what does this say about the team’s confidence in their current lineup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—is Luciano’s ‘potential superstar’ status still within reach, or is it time to temper expectations?
