At 19, Luciano shines on his way to SF

At 6-2 tall and 178 pounds, Luciano has room to add muscle mass over time. But its power is already something striking. With Class-A Alta San José in 2021 – after facing high-quality pitching at the Giants’ alternate camp last year – Luciano has hit 14 home runs in 54 games and 206 at-bats.

Thanks to that, plus a .262 / .357 / .539 batting line (.896 OPS), Luciano was called up to the Future All-Star Game on the National League team.

“I am very grateful to God, the opportunity that He has given me that many players would like to have,” Luciano said at Coors Field in Denver on Sunday. “It is a great opportunity.”

It is a well-earned opportunity. Signed in 2018 for $ 2.6 million by the Giants, Luciano sports a lightning bat from the right side of the plate while playing a luxurious position. Although the questions about his game have been mostly about his defense at shortstop, his scout rating on his defense in the MLB Pipeline system is 50, on a scale of 20 to 80.

“That’s probably the area where he’s improved the most since we signed him,” said Kyle Haines, the Giants director of player development. “I think he has the potential to be a good and reliable player, maybe in any position in the infield. I think shortstop is part of his future and he’s more than capable of defending there. He has good hands ”.

In the midst of his great career at bat, Luciano is also aware that he must continue his evolution with the glove.

“Continue working in my defense,” said the native of Pimentel when touching on the subject of what he most wanted to solidify. “I feel very good about the work that I am doing and I want to keep improving every day. Work hard, do my best and fight ”.

Luciano is projected to be a top pick in the Dominican League Draft this year, but it is not yet known if he will be seen on that circuit. And there is still a long way to go before he steps onto Major League ground as an active player. But that goal is always on your mind, of course.

“I long for it too much, but let it be when God wants it,” he said about it. “I’m going to continue doing my work in the minor leagues.”

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