Pittsburgh Pirates: Liover Peguero to Join 60 Man Roster

The Pittsburgh Pirates are putting their final touches on their overall roster for the 2020 season.  This includes another top prospect joining the 60 man player pool.

Over the last few days, it became clear that the Pittsburgh Pirates were adding 2020 first-round pick Nick Gonzales to the 60 man player pool.  This was somewhat expected, as most of the top prospects in the upper minors are on the roster as well.  It is very unlikely that Gonzales ever leaves Altoona, but it is still great to see him get a chance to start his development.

Gonzales is not the only top infield prospect that the Pittsburgh Pirates are adding to their 60 man roster.  The team apparently had two spots remaining on their 60 man roster before adding Gonzales.  Ben Cherington told the media yesterday that the plan is to add shortstop Liover Peguero to the roster.  Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette tweeted about the news:

Peguero, of course, was acquired this past offseason in the Starling Marte trade.  He, along with right-handed pitcher Brennan Malone and international bonus money, came back to Pittsburgh.  Peguero is a high upside right-handed hitting shortstop.  He currently ranks as the team’s sixth best prospect on FanGraphs and number five on MLB Pipeline, who have not updated their rankings post draft.

The most interesting thing about Peguero is the fact that he is just 19 years of age.  The Front Office must really like what they have in him to add him to the 60 man roster.  The fact that they have limited roster spots limits the amount of prospects the club can really add to their workouts.  Peguero, who has yet to even appear in full-season minor league ball, is getting one of those spots.

Peguero has a lofty ceiling, there is no doubt about that. He has all the tools to make up a very good everyday shortstop.  He hit .326 across 60 games played last year and had 21 extra-base hits. The team made him a part of the Starling Marte trade for a reason.

The fact that he is just 19 years of age and already pushing his way into the Pittsburgh Pirates top five prospects suggests he is very talented.  The team adding him to the 60 man player pool shows that they want him to continue to develop.  Like Gonzales, this is a great opportunity for Peguero to make a real impression during his first season with the organization.