Liover Peguero

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #7 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Peguero made his unlikely MLB debut in 2022, three years after the Pirates acquired him alongside Brennan Malone in a deal for Starling Marte. He raced to a .784 OPS in his first 54 games with Double-A Altoona in 2022 and was just a two-hour drive away from Pittsburgh when the club needed a last-minute replacement after Tucupita Marcano tested positive for Covid on June 17. The Pirates called up Peguero and he debuted a day later. It was the high-water mark of Peguero's season. He put up a .612 OPS in 67 games upon returning to Altoona.
  
  Scouting Report: Peguero bundles an array of intriguing traits but doesn't always blend them together. He has a chance to become an above-average hitter thanks to impressive bat-to-ball skills and lightning-quick hands. His penchant for hard-hit balls allows for average power potential, though his swing isn't necessarily geared for lift. Peguero continues to work on optimizing his bat path to keep his barrel in the zone longer. More advanced pitchers exploited his aggressive approach at times in 2022 by peppering him with breaking balls, and his 5.6% walk rate was one of the lowest in the system. Some wondered whether Peguero carried those struggles into the field. He's prone to bouts of wildness and struggled with his throwing mechanics, making the most throwing errors of any infielder in the system. Still, the ingredients remain for a future plus defender. Peguero turns in his share of dazzling plays, thanks to a plus throwing arm, soft hands and sizable range. He is a plus runner who stole 28 bases in 2022.
  
  The Future: Peguero will be just 22 years old on Opening Day. He has the ceiling of a first-division shortstop if everything comes together.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #5 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The D-backs signed Peguero out of the Dominican Republic for $475,000 in 2017, and arrow-up indicators followed shortly thereafter. The Pirates took notice and acquired Peguero with righthander Brennan Malone for Starling Marte before the 2020 season, the first significant trade of the Ben Cherington era. The Pirates sent Peguero to the alternate training site in 2020 to soak up the atmosphere among older competition. Peguero made his full-season debut in 2021 and posted a .776 OPS in 95 games with High-A Greensboro as one of the league’s youngest regulars at 20 years old.
  
  Scouting Report: Peguero’s blend of dynamic ability and enthusiasm is intriguing, though considerable refinement is needed. His strong hands and wrists generate wicked bat speed and exit velocities, and he continues to steadily add strength to what was once a wiry, high-waisted frame. Peguero is aggressive in all facets of the game. Sometimes that works against him at the plate, evident in his 25% strikeout rate. Continued improvement, especially at recognizing spin, should allow him to unlock an above-average bat and average power. Peguero has all the tools to play shortstop and turns in plenty of highlight-reel plays, but he lacks consistency. He also flashes explosive speed and will likely settle into above-average running ability as he matures, which also leaves the door open for a potential shift to the outfield if his defense plateaus.
  
  The Future: Peguero is still quite young and appears ready for the upper levels. He has the ceiling of a first-division regular at shortstop, but a ways to go to get there.
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #5 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 60. Power: 50. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The first big move Pirates general manager Ben Cherington made was to trade center fielder Starling Marte to the D-backs for Peguero and righthanded pitching prospect Brennan Malone in January 2020. The previous year, Peguero ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Pioneer League and finished the campaign at short-season Hillsboro. The Pirates sent him to their alternate training site in 2020 to challenge him against older competition.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Peguero is a dynamic athlete with a long track record of hitting the ball hard. He has a strong, wiry build and has a natural feel for finding the barrel. He has worked the last two years to tone down his aggressive approach and be more selective at the plate. If those improvements continue, he has the feel for quality contact to be a plus hitter with average power as he fills out. Peguero improved his defense at shortstop with Arizona prior to the trade and continued his work at the position all year with the Pirates. He has above-average speed and the long strides to handle the outfield if he has to move.
  
  THE FUTURE: Peguero’s bat will always be above his glove, but he has a chance to be the Pirates’ shortstop of the future as long his defensive strides continue. He is slated to jump to full-season ball in 2021.
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #4 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: When D-backs Latin American scouting director Cesar Geronimo first saw Peguero, he was a skinny, 5-foot-10 teenager who managed to hit the ball as hard as any of the bigger players around him. Peguero is still lean, but he's grown at least four inches and added at least 30 pounds since Arizona invested $475,000 in him. He starred at Rookie-level Missoula in his U.S. debut and finished at short-season Hillsboro. The Pirates acquired him and minor league righthander Brennan Malone for Starling Marte after the season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Regarded as a premium athlete, Peguero has a strong, wiry build and above-average speed. He has a feel for finding the barrel and regularly generates loud contact. With a body that still has room to fill out, his average power projection could continue to grow. Peguero's approach is aggressive, but he showed signs last year of being more selective. He won over skeptical coaches and evaluators with his improved defense last season, leading many to change their minds about his ability to stick at shortstop. If he does have to move, he could easily fit elsewhere on the infield or even in center field, where his long strides would cover a lot of ground.
  
  THE FUTURE: Peguero has a ways to go, but his offensive-minded profile brings to mind a longer and leaner Jean Segura. He should make the jump to full-season ball in 2020.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #10 prospect in 2021
  One of the most exciting players in the league, Peguero has impressive tools but struggled at times to get to them in games in his first year of full-season ball. That was evidenced by a good amount of swing and miss. Peguero drew plaudits for his defense at shortstop, with above-average speed and improving reactions to go with an average arm. He also showed added pop as one of the younger players in High-A East, with a career-high 14 home runs in 90 games after hitting just six in his previous 101 games. Peguero drew notice from league managers for his knowledge of the game, ability to battle through at-bats and his approach at the plate, an area of emphasis for him over the last two years.
• 
  Ranked Northwest League #8 prospect in 2019
  Signed out of the Dominican Republic for $475,000 in 2017, Peguero has developed even more quickly than the D-backs expected. Entering the year, the club wanted him to play shortstop as long as possible before possibly moving to a different position. Peguero showed tremendous defensive skills at both Rookie-level Missoula and Hillsboro and now gives the impression that shortstop might be his long-term home. He’s a wiry-strong hitter with an extremely muscular midsection that allows him to spray line drives around the diamond. Once he does that, he can use his plus speed—which produces times of 4.1 to 4.2 seconds to first base—to help him turn singles into doubles and doubles into triples. He might never hit for big-time power, but his skills should allow him to settle in as a hitter toward the top of an order. He’s a twitchy player with athleticism and a strong arm, and he has affirmed his place in the middle of a stacked system.
• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #1 prospect in 2019
  Peguero spent the second half of the 2018 season in the Arizona League at age 17 and struggled with the bat, but he came back to spring training this year noticeably stronger and a more mature hitter. That improvement resulted in an outstanding season with Missoula before being moved up to short-season Hillsboro, helping the Hops win the Northwest League championship. Peguero has an innate ability to find the barrel with good timing at the plate and the ability to control the zone. His above-average raw power will translate into more in-game power with experience. Rounding out Peguero’s solid package of tools is above-average speed, which he used to steal eight bases. What really impressed the D-backs was how Peguero developed defensively. He’s at least an above-average defender with an above-average arm.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #78 prospect in 2022

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Peguero made his unlikely MLB debut in 2022, three years after the Pirates acquired him alongside Brennan Malone in a deal for Starling Marte. He raced to a .784 OPS in his first 54 games with Double-A Altoona in 2022 and was just a two-hour drive away from Pittsburgh when the club needed a last-minute replacement after Tucupita Marcano tested positive for Covid on June 17. The Pirates called up Peguero and he debuted a day later. It was the high-water mark of Peguero's season. He put up a .612 OPS in 67 games upon returning to Altoona.
  
  Scouting Report: Peguero bundles an array of intriguing traits but doesn't always blend them together. He has a chance to become an above-average hitter thanks to impressive bat-to-ball skills and lightning-quick hands. His penchant for hard-hit balls allows for average power potential, though his swing isn't necessarily geared for lift. Peguero continues to work on optimizing his bat path to keep his barrel in the zone longer. More advanced pitchers exploited his aggressive approach at times in 2022 by peppering him with breaking balls, and his 5.6% walk rate was one of the lowest in the system. Some wondered whether Peguero carried those struggles into the field. He's prone to bouts of wildness and struggled with his throwing mechanics, making the most throwing errors of any infielder in the system. Still, the ingredients remain for a future plus defender. Peguero turns in his share of dazzling plays, thanks to a plus throwing arm, soft hands and sizable range. He is a plus runner who stole 28 bases in 2022.
  
  The Future: Peguero will be just 22 years old on Opening Day. He has the ceiling of a first-division shortstop if everything comes together.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Peguero made his unlikely MLB debut in 2022, three years after the Pirates acquired him alongside Brennan Malone in a deal for Starling Marte. He raced to a .784 OPS in his first 54 games with Double-A Altoona in 2022 and was just a two-hour drive away from Pittsburgh when the club needed a last-minute replacement after Tucupita Marcano tested positive for Covid on June 17. The Pirates called up Peguero and he debuted a day later. It was the high-water mark of Peguero's season. He put up a .612 OPS in 67 games upon returning to Altoona.
  
  Scouting Report: Peguero bundles an array of intriguing traits but doesn't always blend them together. He has a chance to become an above-average hitter thanks to impressive bat-to-ball skills and lightning-quick hands. His penchant for hard-hit balls allows for average power potential, though his swing isn't necessarily geared for lift. Peguero continues to work on optimizing his bat path to keep his barrel in the zone longer. More advanced pitchers exploited his aggressive approach at times in 2022 by peppering him with breaking balls, and his 5.6% walk rate was one of the lowest in the system. Some wondered whether Peguero carried those struggles into the field. He's prone to bouts of wildness and struggled with his throwing mechanics, making the most throwing errors of any infielder in the system. Still, the ingredients remain for a future plus defender. Peguero turns in his share of dazzling plays, thanks to a plus throwing arm, soft hands and sizable range. He is a plus runner who stole 28 bases in 2022.
  
  The Future: Peguero will be just 22 years old on Opening Day. He has the ceiling of a first-division shortstop if everything comes together.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/High
  
  Track Record: The Diamondbacks signed Peguero via the Dominican Republic for $475,000 in 2017 and arrow-up indicators followed shortly thereafter. Ben Cherington and the Pirates took notice, nabbing Peguero alongside Brennan Malone in a deal for Starling Marte, the first significant trade of the Cherington era. Pittsburgh sent Peguero to its alternate site last year to soak up the atmosphere amongst older competition and he became a favorite of staff members. Peguero posted a .770 OPS in 95 games with High-A East Greensboro as one of the league&#39s youngest regulars at 20 years old.
  
  Scouting Report: Peguero&#39s blend of dynamic ability and enthusiasm intrigues evaluators, although considerable refinement is needed. His strong hands and wrists generate wicked bat speed and exit velocities, and he continues to steadily add strength to what was once a wiry, high-waisted frame. Peguero is aggressive in all facets of the game. Sometimes that over-eagerness works against him at the plate, evident in his 25% strikeout rate this year. Continued improvement, especially with recognizing spin, should allow him to unlock an above-average bat and average power, which could even tick up if he continues to add strength. Peguero has all the tools to play shortstop and turns in plenty of plus plays, but lacks consistency game-to-game. He also flashes explosive speed, which scouts would like to see more often, and will likely settle into above-average running ability as he matures, which also leaves the door open for a potential shift to the outfield if the defensive gains plateau.
  
  Track Record: Peguero is still quite young -- he won&#39t turn 22 until next December -- and appears ready for the upper levels. He has the ceiling of a first-division regular at shortstop, but a ways to go to get there.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The D-backs signed Peguero out of the Dominican Republic for $475,000 in 2017, and arrow-up indicators followed shortly thereafter. The Pirates took notice and acquired Peguero with righthander Brennan Malone for Starling Marte before the 2020 season, the first significant trade of the Ben Cherington era. The Pirates sent Peguero to the alternate training site in 2020 to soak up the atmosphere among older competition. Peguero made his full-season debut in 2021 and posted a .776 OPS in 95 games with High-A Greensboro as one of the league’s youngest regulars at 20 years old.
  
  Scouting Report: Peguero’s blend of dynamic ability and enthusiasm is intriguing, though considerable refinement is needed. His strong hands and wrists generate wicked bat speed and exit velocities, and he continues to steadily add strength to what was once a wiry, high-waisted frame. Peguero is aggressive in all facets of the game. Sometimes that works against him at the plate, evident in his 25% strikeout rate. Continued improvement, especially at recognizing spin, should allow him to unlock an above-average bat and average power. Peguero has all the tools to play shortstop and turns in plenty of highlight-reel plays, but he lacks consistency. He also flashes explosive speed and will likely settle into above-average running ability as he matures, which also leaves the door open for a potential shift to the outfield if his defense plateaus.
  
  The Future: Peguero is still quite young and appears ready for the upper levels. He has the ceiling of a first-division regular at shortstop, but a ways to go to get there.
• October, 2021 Scouting Report
  One of the most exciting players in the league, Peguero has impressive tools but struggled at times to get to them in games in his first year of full-season ball. That was evidenced by a good amount of swing and miss. Peguero drew plaudits for his defense at shortstop, with above-average speed and improving reactions to go with an average arm. He also showed added pop as one of the younger players in High-A East, with a career-high 14 home runs in 90 games after hitting just six in his previous 101 games. Peguero drew notice from league managers for his knowledge of the game, ability to battle through at-bats and his approach at the plate, an area of emphasis for him over the last two years.
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 60. Power: 50. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The first big move Pirates general manager Ben Cherington made was to trade center fielder Starling Marte to the D-backs for Peguero and righthanded pitching prospect Brennan Malone in January 2020. The previous year, Peguero ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Pioneer League and finished the campaign at short-season Hillsboro. The Pirates sent him to their alternate training site in 2020 to challenge him against older competition.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Peguero is a dynamic athlete with a long track record of hitting the ball hard. He has a strong, wiry build and has a natural feel for finding the barrel. He has worked the last two years to tone down his aggressive approach and be more selective at the plate. If those improvements continue, he has the feel for quality contact to be a plus hitter with average power as he fills out. Peguero improved his defense at shortstop with Arizona prior to the trade and continued his work at the position all year with the Pirates. He has above-average speed and the long strides to handle the outfield if he has to move.
  
  THE FUTURE: Peguero's bat will always be above his glove, but he has a chance to be the Pirates' shortstop of the future as long his defensive strides continue. He is slated to jump to full-season ball in 2021.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 60. Power: 50. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The first big move Pirates general manager Ben Cherington made was to trade center fielder Starling Marte to the D-backs for Peguero and righthanded pitching prospect Brennan Malone in January 2020. The previous year, Peguero ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Pioneer League and finished the campaign at short-season Hillsboro. The Pirates sent him to their alternate training site in 2020 to challenge him against older competition.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Peguero is a dynamic athlete with a long track record of hitting the ball hard. He has a strong, wiry build and has a natural feel for finding the barrel. He has worked the last two years to tone down his aggressive approach and be more selective at the plate. If those improvements continue, he has the feel for quality contact to be a plus hitter with average power as he fills out. Peguero improved his defense at shortstop with Arizona prior to the trade and continued his work at the position all year with the Pirates. He has above-average speed and the long strides to handle the outfield if he has to move.
  
  THE FUTURE: Peguero’s bat will always be above his glove, but he has a chance to be the Pirates’ shortstop of the future as long his defensive strides continue. He is slated to jump to full-season ball in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 60. Power: 50. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The first big move Pirates general manager Ben Cherington made was to trade center fielder Starling Marte to the D-backs for Peguero and righthanded pitching prospect Brennan Malone in January 2020. The previous year, Peguero ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Pioneer League and finished the campaign at short-season Hillsboro. The Pirates sent him to their alternate training site in 2020 to challenge him against older competition.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Peguero is a dynamic athlete with a long track record of hitting the ball hard. He has a strong, wiry build and has a natural feel for finding the barrel. He has worked the last two years to tone down his aggressive approach and be more selective at the plate. If those improvements continue, he has the feel for quality contact to be a plus hitter with average power as he fills out. Peguero improved his defense at shortstop with Arizona prior to the trade and continued his work at the position all year with the Pirates. He has above-average speed and the long strides to handle the outfield if he has to move.
  
  THE FUTURE: Peguero’s bat will always be above his glove, but he has a chance to be the Pirates’ shortstop of the future as long his defensive strides continue. He is slated to jump to full-season ball in 2021.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: When Latin American scouting director Cesar Geronimo first saw Peguero, he was a skinny, 5-foot-10 teenager who managed to hit the ball as hard as any of the bigger players around him. Peguero is still lean, but he’s grown at least four inches and added at least 30 pounds since the club invested $475,000 in him. He starred at Rookie-level Missoula in his U.S. debut and finished at short-season Hillsboro.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Regarded as a premium athlete, Peguero has a strong, wiry build and above-average speed. He has a feel for finding the barrel and regularly generates loud contact. With a body that still has room to fill out, his average power projection could continue to grow. Peguero’s approach is aggressive, but he showed signs last year of being more selective. He won over skeptical coaches and evaluators with his improved defense last season, leading many to change their minds about his ability to stick at shortstop. If he does have to move, he could easily fit elsewhere on the infield or even in center field, where his long strides would cover a lot of ground.
  
  THE FUTURE: Peguero has a ways to go, but his offensive-minded profile brings to mind a longer and leaner Jean Segura. He should make the jump to full-season ball in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: When D-backs Latin American scouting director Cesar Geronimo first saw Peguero, he was a skinny, 5-foot-10 teenager who managed to hit the ball as hard as any of the bigger players around him. Peguero is still lean, but he's grown at least four inches and added at least 30 pounds since Arizona invested $475,000 in him. He starred at Rookie-level Missoula in his U.S. debut and finished at short-season Hillsboro. The Pirates acquired him and minor league righthander Brennan Malone for Starling Marte after the season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Regarded as a premium athlete, Peguero has a strong, wiry build and above-average speed. He has a feel for finding the barrel and regularly generates loud contact. With a body that still has room to fill out, his average power projection could continue to grow. Peguero's approach is aggressive, but he showed signs last year of being more selective. He won over skeptical coaches and evaluators with his improved defense last season, leading many to change their minds about his ability to stick at shortstop. If he does have to move, he could easily fit elsewhere on the infield or even in center field, where his long strides would cover a lot of ground.
  
  THE FUTURE: Peguero has a ways to go, but his offensive-minded profile brings to mind a longer and leaner Jean Segura. He should make the jump to full-season ball in 2020.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Signed out of the Dominican Republic for $475,000 in 2017, Peguero has developed even more quickly than the D-backs expected. Entering the year, the club wanted him to play shortstop as long as possible before possibly moving to a different position. Peguero showed tremendous defensive skills at both Rookie-level Missoula and Hillsboro and now gives the impression that shortstop might be his long-term home. He’s a wiry-strong hitter with an extremely muscular midsection that allows him to spray line drives around the diamond. Once he does that, he can use his plus speed—which produces times of 4.1 to 4.2 seconds to first base—to help him turn singles into doubles and doubles into triples. He might never hit for big-time power, but his skills should allow him to settle in as a hitter toward the top of an order. He’s a twitchy player with athleticism and a strong arm, and he has affirmed his place in the middle of a stacked system.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Peguero spent the second half of the 2018 season in the Arizona League at age 17 and struggled with the bat, but he came back to spring training this year noticeably stronger and a more mature hitter. That improvement resulted in an outstanding season with Missoula before being moved up to short-season Hillsboro, helping the Hops win the Northwest League championship. Peguero has an innate ability to find the barrel with good timing at the plate and the ability to control the zone. His above-average raw power will translate into more in-game power with experience. Rounding out Peguero’s solid package of tools is above-average speed, which he used to steal eight bases. What really impressed the D-backs was how Peguero developed defensively. He’s at least an above-average defender with an above-average arm.