The Pittsburgh Pirates have recalled shortstop Liover Peguero from Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned pitcher Hunter Stratton to Indianapolis.
We have recalled INF Liover Peguero from Triple-A Indianapolis, and optioned RHP Hunter Stratton to Indianapolis following yesterday’s game to make room on the 26-man active roster.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 2, 2025
Pirates Call Up Liover Peguero
Peguero, 24, was the key piece acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Starling Marte in 2020, in Ben Cherington’s first trade upon becoming Pirates general manager. At the time, he was Arizona’s No. 7 prospect. He no longer carries the prospect tag. He’s been up with the Pirates before. In 63 major league games from 2022-24, he’s hit .237/.280/.370, 7 HR, and 28 RBI. Fifty-nine of those games – and all those home runs – happened in 2023. Oddly, he was never a contender to make the club in 2024.
Peguero’s minor league record suggests there may be a better hitter there if given a chance. For his seven-year minor league career, he’s hitting .268/.326/.420, 57 HR, and 292 RBI while stealing 112 bases in 136 attempts across all levels. That includes .258/.309/.382 so far in 2025 at Indianapolis. He’s hit as many as 14 home runs in a minor league season. However, he isn’t projected to be a double-digit home run hitter in the majors. His single-season minor league high in stolen bases was 28, which he achieved twice. That’s where his value will lie in the majors, especially if he can make more contact with the bat and improve his OBP. Unfortunately, his walk rate (5.3 percent in the majors and 7.7 percent in the minors) and strikeout rate (31.7 percent majors, 21.8 percent minors) are unacceptable for the type of hitter he is.
Why the Pirates’ sudden interest in Peguero, and where he fits, will be interesting to see. The regular shortstop, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, is one of the few bright spots on the team, hitting .280/.333/.330 from the bottom spot in the batting order. Furthermore, Peguero was bypassed in favor of prospect Tsung-Che Cheng in April when Jared Triolo went on the injured list.
Pirates Option Stratton
Stratton, 28, was called up on Monday when fellow reliever Dennis Santana went on the bereavement list. Stratton was roughed up in two outings this week, surrendering four runs in 1 2/3 innings. In 2024, the right-hander emerged as a reliable late-inning option until his season was derailed by an injury.
The Pirates will likely carry 12 pitchers and 14 position players only for as long as Santana is out. Assuming a bolder move – like waiving the disappointing Tommy Pham – isn’t on the horizon, candidates to go back to Indianapolis at that time include Peguero and Matt Gorski. Alternatively, the Pirates might just cut ties with underachieving waiver acquisition Alexander Canario.
Photo Credit: © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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