SF Giants top prospect Marco Luciano promoted to Double-A
A pair of SF Giants prospects will be making their Double-A debuts this week for the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Shortstop Marco Luciano and left-handed pitcher Juan Sanchez were each included on Richmond's playoff roster, which was released on Tuesday. Since Luciano and Sanchez did not appear in a regular-season game, though, neither player will be able to make their official debuts this year. For some reason, minor league playoff games do not count towards a player's official statline.
Sanchez appeared in 40 games this season at High-A out of the Eugene Emeralds bullpen, recording a 3.76 ERA, 75 strikeouts, and 29 walks in 52.2 innings pitched. Sanchez has a two-pitch mix. His fastball works between 90-92 mph and is a fine offering, but it plays off one of the best changeups in the organization. Sanchez's mid-80s changeup has excellent fade and looks nearly identical to his heater coming out of his hand.
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Luciano is a consensus top-25 prospect in the minor leagues and is arguably the best prospect in the Giants organization. The 21-year-old shortstop hit .263/.339/.459 with 10 doubles and 10 home runs in 57 games at High-A this season. Luciano missed a good chunk of the summer with a lower back injury and likely would have been promoted to Double-A sooner if not for the missed time. However, now that the season's over, he will join the Flying Squirrels for the playoffs before playing in the Dominican Winter League.
Juan Sanchez and Marco Luciano just capped off solid seasons with the SF Giants High-A affiliates in Eugene by helping lead the team to a Northwest League title. Now, with the Richmond Flying Squirrels chasing the Eastern League championship, the SF Giants promoted Luciano and Sanchez to Double-A for the playoff run.
