Major League Roster Shake-Up: Pirates Make Tough Calls on Former Prospects
In a move that’s sure to spark debate among baseball fans, the Pittsburgh Pirates have designated outfielder Marco Luciano and infielder Tsung-Che Cheng for assignment. This decision, first noted on the MLB.com transaction log, comes on the heels of a significant three-team trade that brought Brandon Lowe, Mason Montgomery, and Jake Mangum to the Pirates. But here’s where it gets controversial: both Luciano and Cheng were once considered promising talents, yet they now find themselves on the roster bubble. What does this mean for their futures? And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about their performance—it’s about the strategic reshuffling of a team in transition.
Let’s start with Marco Luciano, a 24-year-old outfielder who was claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants just weeks ago. Once hailed as a top-15 minor league talent by Baseball America, Luciano’s journey has been a rollercoaster. As a teenage shortstop, he wowed scouts with his raw power and 6’1” frame. But as he climbed the ranks, his bat struggled against higher-level pitching, and defensive errors forced a move to left field. The Giants gave him limited opportunities in 2023 and 2024, where he slashed a modest .217/.286/.304 with 45 strikeouts in 126 plate appearances. Despite a strong Triple-A showing in 2025, including 23 home runs and a 15% walk rate, his near-31% strikeout rate and 35% whiff rate against Triple-A pitching raised concerns. Luciano’s hard-hit balls are impressive, but his swing-and-miss tendencies and limited defensive skills have dimmed his once-bright prospects. With no minor league options left, he’s now in a high-stakes game of MLB roster survival.
Then there’s Tsung-Che Cheng, another 24-year-old who briefly shone as one of Pittsburgh’s top 10 prospects in 2024. A lefty-hitting infielder with versatility and athleticism, Cheng made his MLB debut in April but went hitless in seven at-bats with three strikeouts. His Triple-A numbers in Indianapolis—a .207/.305/.267 line with just one home run in 406 plate appearances—haven’t done much to boost his case. While his Taiwanese roots and defensive skills are noteworthy, his hitting has been below average since reaching Double-A in 2023. Unlike Luciano, Cheng has one option year remaining, giving the Pirates slightly more flexibility.
But here’s the real question: Are the Pirates giving up on these players too soon, or is this a necessary step in building a competitive roster? Luciano’s power potential and Cheng’s athleticism could still attract interest from other teams, but their recent struggles make them risky bets. The Pirates have just five days to trade or waive both players, leaving little time for second-guessing. This move underscores the harsh realities of roster management in the big leagues, where potential often takes a backseat to performance.
What do you think? Is this the right call for the Pirates, or are they letting go of players who could still turn things around? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to heat up faster than a fastball on a summer afternoon.
