Tucupita Marcano

Marcano, a portion of the Pirates' return in the Joe Musgrove trade, failed to break camp with the big-league club in 2022 but played regularly from late May to mid-June. He hit .254 and put up a .702 OPS, which was a relative positive compared to the rest of the team's lineup. Nevertheless, Marcano was sent back to Triple-A Indianapolis until early August though he spent the final two months of the season in Pittsburgh. Looking ahead, Marcano will once again have to battle for a roster spot and playing time. His defensive versatility gives him a chance to do so, with his clearest path looking to be at second base. Even so, the most likely outcome is that Marcano is once again organizational depth, getting playing time when either injury or poor performance ahead of him dictates. If he earns regular playing time, Marcano profiles as a patient hitter capable of getting on base and scoring runs. However, his lack of stolen bases and the context of the Pirates' lineup holds back his fantasy potential.

When a team consistently signs double-digit international prospects every July 2, some unheralded names will inevitably emerge along with the big-ticket signees. Marcano is an example from the 2016 class. His slight, wiry frame (6-foot, 165 pounds) leads to skepticism about him developing into an everyday player, but so far he has done everything in is power to steal playing time from higher-pedigree middle infielders in the best system in baseball. Marcano led the AZL with a 173 wRC+, thanks largely to an absurd 10:26 K:BB (6.3 K%, 16.3 BB%) in 160 PA. He only had five extra-base hits (four doubles, one triple), but his .497 OBP led the league by over 60 points. The middle infielder's Northwest League production was less preposterous, but he still demonstrated elite plate skills and an all-fields approach (6:4 K:BB, 41.5 Pull%, 36.9 Oppo% in 77 PA). Marcano's fantasy upside hinges on him continuing to showcase an elite hit tool with plus speed on the bases.