Pittsburgh Pirates Season in Review: Tucupita Marcano

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 14: Tucupita Marcano #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at bat against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on August 14, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 14: Tucupita Marcano #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at bat against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on August 14, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Tucupita Marcano put together arguably the best minor league season of his career in 2022, leading to him make his Pittsburgh Pirates debut

At the 2021 trade deadline the Pittsburgh Pirates sent Adam Frazier to the San Diego Padres in exchange for three players. Two of these players saw significant playing time with the MLB club in 2022, outfielder Jack Suwinski and utility man Tucupita Marcano.

Marcano started the 2022 season with the Double-A Altoona Curve. In late April he got a brief stint in the majors and would then return in late May. Following a stint on the injured list, Marcano played three more MLB games in early July before being optioned back to the minors.

This was not it for Marcano and being with the Pittsburgh Pirates, however. Marcano returned to the majors in August and would then go on to remain on the active roster for the remainder of the 2022 season.

Marcano’s minor league season was arguably the best of his career. With the Curve, Marcano hit for a .303/.413/.475 slash line with a 143 wRC+, 16.4% walk rate, and a 20.5% strikeout rate in 122 plate appearances. In 115 PAs with Triple-A Indianapolis he hit for a .287/.365/.426 slash line with a 113 wRC+, 11.3% walk rate, and a 13.9% strikeout rate.

After a strong start in the majors, Marcano would go on to struggle at the plate. In 177 PAs in the majors the left-handed hitting Marcao hit for a .206/.256/.306 slash line. He posted a wRC+ of 57, 5.6% walk rate, and a 24.9% strikeout rate.

Marcano just turned 23-years-old on September 16th. So, that alone gives reason to believe that there could still be plenty of growth and room for offensive improvement for the young hitter. Additionally, is ability to play both middle infield positions as well as both corner outfield spots adds to his value.

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When the 2023 season begins Marcano will likely be on the Pirate roster. Depending on how the offseason shakes out in terms of additions to the roster, Marcano could enter spring training competing for a starting job at second base or in left field. If nothing else, he should open the season as a utility player coming off the bench for Derek Shelton and the Pittsburgh Pirates.