The Giants’ top prospect will complete his fourth year in the organization up a level.
Luciano, 21, joined the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels playoff roster this week. He’ll compete in the postseason for Richmond, where he’ll likely begin the 2023 season.
The shortstop hit .263 with a .798 OPS with the title-winning Eugene Emeralds. But a back injury cut his season to 57 games. Since all prospects lost 2020 due to COVID, Luciano’s shortened season makes getting him extra reps at Double-A sensible.
In his first game with the Flying Squirrels, a 9-3 loss in Game 1 of a three-game division series, Luciano went 1-for-4 with an RBI single. He also struck out twice.
MLB.com currently ranks Luciano as the 17th-best prospect in baseball — just ahead of starter Kyle Harrison (No. 22).
Harrison started in the Flying Squirrels’ loss, striking out nine in three innings, but allowing two runs on four hits.
The second Flying Squirrels playoff game is scheduled for Thursday.