The Pirates have called infielder Liover Peguero up from Double-A to the active roster. Tucupita Marcano was placed on the COVID-related injured list, in the corresponding move.
The somewhat unexpected promotion may be simply a late reaction to Marcano’s absence, as noted by Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Peguero could more easier make the trip to Pittsburgh since he was playing in nearby Altoona — the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate is in Georgia tonight facing the Braves’ top farm team.
This would explain why Peguero got the call and not top prospect Oneil Cruz, whose return to the big leagues has been expected more or less since Opening Day. Depending on how long Marcano is absent, Peguero also might not be in the big leagues for that long, should Marcano’s placement on the COVID list only be due to a close-contact situation or symptoms, rather than an actual positive test.
Still, while Cruz’s situation continues to dominate attention in Pittsburgh, Peguero is a very notable prospect in his own right. In current rankings, MLB Pipeline has Peguero as the 58th-best prospect in baseball, Baseball America has him 67th — prior to the season, Baseball Prospectus had Peguero in their #38 spot, while The Athletic’s Keith Law ranked him 77th.
Acquired from the Diamondbacks as part of the Starling Marte trade in January 2020, Peguero has posted solid (if not outstanding) numbers in his climb up the minor league ladder. Over 236 PA with Altoona this year, Peguero has hit .292/.315/.469 with five home runs in his first time at the Double-A level. This extra power is a good sign, though the relatively low OBP and 54 strikeouts are indicative of how Peguero still has to correct being overly aggressive at the plate. When he does make contact, Peguero has posted high exit velocities and exhibits tremendous bat speed, speaking to his potential as a hitter if he can smooth out his approach.
Peguero has plenty of speed and athleticism, and Baseball America’s scouting report doesn’t rule out a potential move to the outfield down the road. However, since Cruz faces more questions about his long-term fielding future, Peguero may be the favorite of the two to settle in as the Pirates’ long-term shortstop of the future, with Nick Gonzales likely ticketed for second base if his own glovework holds up.
There could potentially be a bit of a logjam should all of these prospects develop as expected, though the Bucs will happily welcome such an issue if it means all of these highly-regarded youngsters are MLB-level contributors. The Pirates have been increasingly turning over more and more of its roster to its better prospects, as the club’s lengthy rebuild is now starting to translate into players who are ready for a look in the Show. Should Peguero play particularly well, he could catch on for a Pittsburgh team that has nothing to lose, though the more probable result could be Peguero sent to Triple-A if or when Cruz is ready in the near future.
Pirates will promote half of their prospects from AA, but somehow Cruz NEEDS the AAA time.
Did you even read the article? Cruz is in Georgia.
People don’t read what’s written….they read what they think it’s what they want it to be.
Darkside is just a troll. He’s busy finding fault with everything Pittsburgh does that can be a good thing as well. Darkside must be a charming fella to live with
Probably a sewer life would fit him well
Unless Cruz can teleport, he wasn’t going to do them any good tonight when they needed someone.
Unless he can pitch, Cruz isn’t going to do the Pirates any good until 2025 when best case scenario they trade him for more prospects.
You must not pay attention to Pirates. Their problem lies in scoring runs much more than preventing them since approximately May 1. Tonight was a perfect example, give up two runs and lose. They score almost 1 run/game less than next worse NL club.
They should trade you for a box of fruit loops and a quart of sour milk
Peguero probably won’t be here for more than a few days. Plus it looks like they’re gonna make Cruz to the majors offical tomorrow. Triple-A Indy tweeted out that there will be a big announcement later tonight. Only so much that could mean.
And……….. itis the reveal of ……………… Avengers uniforms……….. should be this home stand per what rumors I have heard…..
It’s the same reason that Suwinski got the call instead of Mitchell or someone else. He was close.
Cruz has an OPS of 775 in AAA…it’s not like he’s lighting the league on fire.
He’s been much better the last 6 weeks. His bat is definitely better than Castillo, the regular SS of late. His defense will be spotty though.
I am guessing Castillo will be the one to go whe Cruz comes up.
Play Cruz in the field 3 days/week and DH 3 days/week. If they DFA’d Chang, he’d probably make it thru waivers.
There’s a thing called a plane Cruz could take to the game
And he’d be a @$$=# if he didn’t jump out of the plane in uni over the field… or send a telegram to Altoona. Whatever works.
And there is a thing on a toilet where you can flush yourself. My God, where do these people crawl out of the woodwork
Peguero is a Liover, not a fighter.
This is fine work here.
Shucks, folks, I’m speechless!
Cruz is still struggling with Wonderwall on guitar. Once we iron that out he’ll be in the bigs