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Pittsburgh Pirates: Projecting 2022 for Protected Prospects

By Marty Leap

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 23: Jack Suwinski of San Diego Padres scores in the 7th inning during a friendly game between San Diego Padres and Diablos Rojos at Alfredo Harp Helu Stadium on March 23, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. The game is held as part of the opening celebrations of the Alfredo Harp Helu Stadium, now the newest in Mexico to play baseball. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 23: Jack Suwinski of San Diego Padres scores in the 7th inning during a friendly game between San Diego Padres and Diablos Rojos at Alfredo Harp Helu Stadium on March 23, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. The game is held as part of the opening celebrations of the Alfredo Harp Helu Stadium, now the newest in Mexico to play baseball. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Pirates
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 09: A Pittsburgh Pirates hat, glove and bat sit in the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on August 9, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Shortstop Liover Peguero

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Liover Peguero from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Starling Marte trade. At the time many fans were scratching their heads over the return for Marte. However, since joining the Pirate farm system all Peguero has done is shoot up prospect boards which made him a lock to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft.

During the 2021 season Peguero hit for a strong .270/.332/.444 slash line to go with a 108 wRC+. He had a .174 isolate slugging (ISO), stole 28 bases, hit 14 home runs and collected extra bases at an 8.4% rate. These results came across 417 plate appearances in 90 games played, and at just the age of 20, with the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Peguero has become the likely shortstop of the future for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has the tools to be a plus defender at the shortstop position while also providing plus offense, especially for shortstop, all while being a terror on the base paths.

FanGraphs ranks Peguero as the 4th best prospect in the Pirate farm system and the 66th best prospect in all of baseball. FanGraphs gives his speed tool a future value (FV) of 60, to go with a 45 fielding grade, 40 hit tool and a 45 raw power. His overall FV is a 50.

When the 2022 minor league season begins Peguero should be with the Double-A Altoona Curve. If Peguero puts together a strong season for the Curve he should find himself with Triple-A Indianapolis before the end of the season, keeping him on track for his 2023 ETA.

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