PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – So what did the Pirates get back in the reported trade of Adam Frazier to the Padres.
According to MLB Pipeline, Bucs land San Diego’s fifth best prospect, a right-handed pitcher and an outfielder. Here’s a quick look at the return.
Tucupita Marcano-SS, left-hand hitter, 6’, 170 pounds, 21 years-old
The Venezuelan was at the Padres’ alternate training site in 2020 and added to the 40-man roster in November. Marcano started the year as the Padres ninth best player and the teams’ top international prospect.
Marcano made the Padres Opening Day roster as a bench player. His first MLB start was April 15 against the Pirates, going 1 for 4 with his first MLB double and RBI. Sent down after that game hitting .167 overall, recalled on May 11, sent down on May 19 and recalled again May 30 before heading back a final time on June 6.
He a line-drive hitter who has played 25 games total with the Padres with nine hits in 44 at bats (.182 average). He had six walks to nine strikeouts. Marcano played eight games at second base, a game at third, four in left field and four in right field.
He played 44 games at AAA in 2021, hitting .272 with a .367 on-base percentage with seven doubles, two triples and six home runs in 169 at bats with two more walks than strikeouts. Marcano played the same positions at Triple A but 11 games each at second, third, left and right.
He’s a career .278 hitter in the minors with a .359 on-base percentage with 35 doubles, 10 triples and 44 stolen bases in 256 games. He originally signed for $320,000 in 2017 and projects long-term according to MLB.com as a second baseman.
Michell Miliano-RHP, 6’3”, 185 pounds, 21-years-old
After three seasons in rookie ball with very little success (64.1-IP, 67-H, 52-ER, 53-BB, 87-K), a year off has served him well. Miliano started the season in Low A and as a reliever in 18 games went 2-2, 3.16 ERA, 25.2 innings, 21 walks, 52 strikeouts, 1.40 WHIP, .167 opponents’ batting average.
Miliano has four appearances since moving up to High-A on July 15. He gave up a run in his first relief stint and two in his last. Overall at Fort Wayne, 4.1 innings, 4 walks, 7 strikeouts, 6.23 ERA.
He has a plus fastball with a smooth, repeatable delivery according to FanGraphs, but has control issues at times.
Jack Suwinski-OF, left-hand hitter, 6’2”, 206 pounds, 22-years-old
After showing increased power in 2018 with 10 homers and 2019 with 12, Suwinski is currently third in the AA Central League with 15 HR in 66 games this season. He is fifth in slugging percentage. He is also fourth in the league with 45 walks and sixth with a .398 on-base percentage.
Another player who used the year off to step up his game, telling The San Diego Union-Tribune he consulted with nutritionists in 2020 to put on more muscle while also getting faster. Suwinski already has a career high in home runs and stolen bases and near career-highs in many offensive categories despite playing in just 66 games.
The Chicago native was the Padres 15th round pick in 2016 and has been on base in 17 of his last 18 games this season.