Giants Notes: Luciano, Wade, Pederson

Marco Luciano hit .269/.350/.467 over 257 mixed plate appearances in rookie ball and high-A ball in 2022, a stable efficiency that was marred by over two months misplaced to the injured listing resulting from a decrease again pressure.  To fight the again points which have hampered him greater than as soon as throughout his profession, Luciano advised The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser that he has gained 30 kilos since final season, as he believes “having extra muscle will assist make my physique stronger so I can final all the season.”

Luciano is among the Giants’ prime prospects and one of many better-regarded prospects within the sport, as Baseball Prospectus, The Athletic’s Keith Legislation, and MLB Pipeline all had the shortstop ranked between 18th and twenty second on their preseason top-100 lists.  Evaluators are clearly nonetheless excessive on the 21-year-old regardless of his damage issues, although it isn’t but clear if Luciano has recovered sufficient to take part in any recreation motion earlier than Spring Coaching is over.  Slusser writes that Luciano’s fielding work has been restricted, and he solely began hitting on the sphere a couple of days in the past.  With Luciano anticipated to begin the yr at Double-A, it could seem to be he would possibly first want some further work in prolonged Spring Coaching earlier than making his on-field debut in 2023.

Extra from San Francisco’s camp….

• Left knee irritation twice despatched LaMonte Wade Jr. to the injured listing final season, contributing to a tricky yr that noticed Wade hit solely .207/.305/.359 over 251 PA over 77 video games.  Discussing his damage with Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports activities Bay Space, Wade mentioned his knee issues first began late within the 2021 season, and following the 2022 marketing campaign, some medical doctors even prompt that surgical procedure was mandatory.  Wade opted for rehabilitation over surgical procedure, and “I’m wholesome now and I really feel manner higher than I ever have.”  That’s terrific information for each Wade and the Giants, because the 29-year-old is being counted on for almost all of taking part in time at first base in 2023.
• Joc Pederson is getting some work at first base this spring, taking part in six innings in Friday’s Cactus League recreation.  Whereas Pederson will principally be a DH this season and be used within the outfield when he does get into the common lineup, the Giants have been additionally contemplating Pederson as a left-handed hitting first base choice if Wade isn’t obtainable.  Pederson has “labored actually onerous at first. He has a extremely good understanding of his mechanics proper now,” supervisor Gabe Kapler advised MLB.com’s Maria Guardado and different reporters.  Pederson beforehand performed 149 innings as a primary baseman with the Dodgers in 2019, however with dismal outcomes, as per the general public defensive metrics.