Yankees Claim Former Giants Top Prospect Off Waivers
The move also tightens the Yankees 40 man picture because Cody Bellinger’s reported return still needs to be made official, meaning a corresponding roster move is coming once that paperwork lands.
Why the Yankees took the chance on Luciano
Luciano is only 24 and was once a premium name in prospect circles after signing as a top international talent in 2018 with a $2.6 million bonus, and he made his MLB debut in 2023.
The big league production has not matched the early hype yet, with a .217 average and .590 OPS over 41 MLB games, but his Triple A track record still hints at a useful bat if the contact issues come down.
In 2025 at Triple A, he hit .214 with a .748 OPS, along with 23 home runs and 66 RBIs in 125 games, which is the type of loud contact the Yankees tend to believe they can sharpen with tweaks.
Earlier today, the Yankees claimed INF/OF Marco Luciano off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 22, 2026
The roster squeeze that could decide everything
This is Luciano’s fourth organization run this winter after bouncing through waivers.
If Luciano does not force his way onto the Yankees Opening Day roster, he risks heading right back to waivers, which makes his spring a real tryout for him, as New York has no problem dumping him if they dont' like what they see.
The Yankees have claimed former INF prospect Marco Luciano off waivers from the Orioles. pic.twitter.com/L04aoL4CaD
— Everything Yankees (@eyyankees) January 22, 2026
Still, the Yankees can justify the claim because it costs almost nothing, and if the bat plays even a little, they land a versatile right handed hitter with experience at shortstop and corner spots while the club finalizes the rest of its roster picture around Bellinger and the returning core.
Photo Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
