When the Pirates were fielding offers for All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier last month, many envisioned the Pirates getting back a power hitter who could anchor the lineup for years to come.

Instead, the top hitter they received in return isn’t afraid to get base hits like this:

That’s Tucupita Marcano, the headliner in that Frazier trade. He’s not a power hitter, but has a knack for getting on base, even if it takes putting a batted ball where few dare to go.

“I started doing that as a kid,” Marcano said over Zoom about his push bunts through translator and coach Gustavo Omana. “I learned it from my dad. When I was younger, I was afraid to do it. I later gained confidence to start to use it a little more.”

It’s because of that swing control and bat to ball skills that Marcano has become a fast rising prospect. After playing in Class A for all of 2019, Marcarno made the Padres’ opening day roster this season. While he was optioned to Class AAA while still in the early stages of the season, the 21-year-old more than held his own at the highest levels of the minors.

In its midseason update this update, Baseball America ranked Marcano as the Pirates’ No. 7 prospect. Five of the players ahead of him are on Baseball America’s top 100, and the sixth, right-handed starter Roansy Contreras, has spent some time this year at the back of the list. He fits solidly in one of the top farm systems in baseball, one that he didn’t expect to be playing for.

“I was surprised,” Marcano said about being traded. “I was talking with my dad that maybe I could be traded, but I was prepared. I’m excited to be here.”

There is obvious appeal, even if he doesn't fit the mold of most of the league's rising prospects. Marcano is speedy, walks as often as he strikes out, gets on base and is defensively versatile. During spring training this season, Padres manager Jayce Tingler said that Marcano could play every position besides pitcher and catcher.

It’s one of the reasons why the Pirates reportedly tried to acquire him when working out the Joe Musgrove trade to the Padres this offseason.

“Marcano is a really smart baseball player,” Ben Cherington said. “Really aware on the field. Makes a ton of contact. He can move around the field. Smart baserunner, instinctive. He’s really young. He’s mature as a baseball player, so he doesn’t seem young.”

Cherington said he feels Marcano is in “a good spot to be challenged developmentally,” perhaps indicating that the team would rather he finish the season with Indianapolis. Of course, with September call-ups not far away and depth always a concern, you can’t write off a potential Pirates debut before the year is through.

There are certainly opportunities to play going forward. With the exception of third base, center field and catcher, just about every position on the Pirates has a chance of being open to a competition next year. So where will he slot in?

Maybe taking over Frazier’s old position?

“That’s the goal — try to play second base,” Marcano said. “I’m going to work for that.”

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