Welcome to the Pirates, Liover Peguero. Pirates fans, what can we expect of this new addition to your organization?
- Born: December 31, 2000
- B/T: Right/Right
- 6’1″, 160lb
- Signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017 as an international free agent our of the Dominican Republic. Traded to the Pirates in the Starlin Marte trade.
The Numbers
Those are his raw numbers, but let’s aggregate by level and focus on the important numbers for minor leaguers:
When you are 6’1″ and only weigh 160, you don’t expect to see power, but that Rookie level 0 for ISO is still startling. Yes, his SLG was .197 and his BA was .197, so whaddya gonna do? At least in 2019 the ISO bounced up to .159. Frankly, hitting his weight, more or less, is pretty good.
That OBP of .382 is great. The speed is is good too, and the fact that he can draw a walk and doesn’t strike out much is encouraging. Doing this as an 18-year-old against 20- and 21-year-old pitchers is impressive.
That OBP of .382 is great. The speed is is good too, and the fact that he can draw a walk and doesn’t strike out much is encouraging. Doing this as an 18-year-old against 20- and 21-year-old pitchers is impressive.
Small sample size. He hit righties better in Rookie ball, then hit lefties better in Class A Short Season. Too soon to tell.
Heh. It’s like he’s aiming for each of the outfielders, isn’t it?
In any case, it’s very balanced.
In any case, it’s very balanced.
He’s a teenager in a new country. So as summer rolls along he fades a bit.
The Scouts
- Rotowire: #154 on their Top 400 prospects.
- BaseballHQ: Not on their Top 100.
- Fangraphs: #98 on their Top 120 and a 50 prospect.
- Fantasy Six Pack: #167 on their Top 750 Dynasty list.
- Prospects365: #136 on Ray Butler’s Top 200.
- Imaginary Brick Wall: #93 of the Top 487.
Warnings
Well, I’d like him to put on weight, but he has the height to expect that.
Then I’d like to see more power, but that should follow the body development.
And we need to see him perform at the higher levels, of course.
Conclusion
The scouts like him, and I can see why they would. He’s a good fielding SS with a good batting eye, speed, and what everyone assumes will be power. If you get a smooth-swinging shortstop who might one day provide BA, HR and SB, you take that every chance you get. The Pirates took that chance, and by 2023 they might have a starting SS.