Marco Luciano Expected to Be Giants’ Opening Day Shortstop in 2022
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants will not be searching for a new shortstop during the upcoming offseason. President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi announced that top prospect Marco Luciano is the frontrunner to be the opening day shortstop in 2022.
Luciano, who missed all of spring training with a back injury and began the season in Double-A, made a strong impression in his limited time in the big leagues. In 14 games, he posted a .231/.333./.308 slash line with three doubles, six walks, and 17 strikeouts in 45 plate appearances. While the numbers may not jump off the page, Luciano showcased his impressive power with an average exit velocity of 93 mph, which would have ranked 14th in the majors had he qualified.
The Giants are confident that Luciano can handle the challenges of a full rookie season both offensively and defensively. Despite doubts about his size affecting his ability to play shortstop, Luciano has proven that he can excel at the position. Giants bench coach and interim manager Kai Correa praised Luciano’s consistency and development as a fielder, highlighting his progress in making routine plays.
Luciano’s potential extends beyond his on-field production. As a rookie, winning the Rookie of the Year award next season would grant the Giants an additional draft pick at the end of the first round, a highly valuable asset.
While the possibility of gaining a draft pick is enticing, the decision to make Luciano the starting shortstop is based on his potential and improvement. Zaidi emphasized Luciano’s pure talent level and the growth he displayed throughout the season. The Giants believe Luciano is ready to step into the shoes of the franchise’s best shortstop, Brandon Crawford, should he decide to move on from San Francisco.
Zaidi expressed his excitement for Luciano’s opportunity to take the starting job and run with it. The Giants organization is confident in Luciano’s abilities and looks forward to seeing him thrive in the role.
The 2022 season promises to be an exciting one for the Giants and their fans as they witness the rise of a homegrown talent in Marco Luciano. Stay tuned for updates on Luciano and the Giants as the offseason progresses.