Marco Luciano Makes MLB Debut in Bay Bridge Series
Photo by: Chris Bernacchi (Special to The Chronicle)
Wednesday night was quite the spectacle for the Giants. They won eight to three to sweep the San Francisco (home) half of the Bay Bridge Series, but eyes were also on yet another Giants callup. Making his highly anticipated debut was Marco Luciano, the 21-year-old who is the pride of San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic. Signed in 2018 as an international free agent at the age of 16, Luciano arrived in the big leagues “ahead of schedule”, his estimated year of arrival being next year, 2024.
Photo by: Rob Tringali (Getty Images)
After spending time with the Giants in Spring Training, he was assigned to Double-A Richmond to start the year. Though his batting average (.228) was not convincing in 56 games there, the power was definitely on display with 11 home runs, 12 doubles, and 32 runs batted in. Less than two weeks ago, Luciano was promoted to Triple-A Sacramento, where he thrived in a sample size of six games, batting .292, with two home runs, two doubles, and 3 runs batted in.
Photo by: Lachlan Cunningham (Getty Images)
Wednesday night was his debut, but he went hitless. However, he did impress with his glove work and arm at shortstop. Luciano completed his quest for his first big league knock against the Boston Red Sox, lining a ball off third baseman Rafael Devers’ glove (107.1 mph exit velocity) in the bottom half of the sixth inning on Friday night. He eventually raced around to score on a single by Michael Conforto.
It turned out to be a moment of newness and freshness amidst a battle between two historic baseball franchises. The Giants hope to bounce back from Friday night’s loss and continue their series against the Boston Red Sox, who are making a rare visit to Oracle Park for a total of three games.