Delayed Season Debut for Liover Peguero Offers Glimmer of Potentially Brighter Future

PITTSBURGH — Liover Peguero was one of a handful of players in competition this spring for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting second base job.

The job ultimately went to Jared Triolo as Peguero was sent down to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the season.

Naturally, the assumption was the Peguero would be one of the first replacements promoted from Indianapolis when necessary, given his status on the  40-man roster and his experience a season ago.

Peguero played in one game for the Pirates in 2022, which was his MLB debut. Last year, he carved out a more significant role, playing in 59 games with Pittsburgh. He finished his first extended look with a .237 batting average, a .653 OPS and seven home runs. The road was rocky at times, but he flashed potential to give some belief he could be an impactful major-leaguer.

But Peguero’s first shot this season didn’t come until the Pirates’ 2-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night, and the 23-year-old played a big part in the victory.

With the Pirates trailing by a run and two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Yasmani Grandal and Nick Yorke drew consecutive walks for the first threat against Brewers starter Freddy Peralta. Peguero worked the count full against the tough right-hander and split the left-center gap with a two-run double to give the Pirates the lead.

As if the game-winning hit wasn’t enough, Peguero showed off by making a slick diving catch to rob Garrett Mitchell of a two-out hit up the middle, aiding starter Luis Ortiz, who pitched a gem for the Pirates.

Have yourself a ballgame, Liover Peguero pic.twitter.com/u7sZ94wbuS

— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) September 26, 2024

“Big hit there,” manager Derek Shelton said on the clutch double. “He’s had a really good year in Indy. I think this was one of the things that we highlighted yesterday. That’s why it’s important to get him up here, to get a little bit of that taste. Then he comes back … and makes a diving play. Really important. Big night for Peggy. Really happy for him.”

Peguero’s excitement about returning to the big leagues was palpable.

“Yeah, man, it’s a dream,” he said on being back with the Pirates. “You know, been working really hard just trying to get back and trying to hear the same thing I was hearing last year. So I’m just glad I’m back and happy to have the people I got around here.”

One reason for the Pirates waiting so long to give Peguero a chance in 2024 was because his offense dipped from last year. Though his wRC+ was just 88, Peguero hit 29 doubles, 13 home runs, drove in 79 runs and stole 14 bases.

But what did improve was Peguero’s defense. After posting minus-three defensive runs saved in 39 games last year, there were serious questions whether or not Peguero had a future at the position.

When he was recalled on Tuesday, Shelton mentioned how much Peguero’s defense improved with Indianapolis this season.

“The thing with Peggy is, he’s only 23,” said Shelton. He’s continuing to get better. I think it’s hard work that (Indianapolis bench coach Chris Truby) put in with him, that (Indianapolis manager) Miguel Perez put in with him. He’s just kind of grown into being a better shortstop.”

Though he wasn’t tested very often, Peguero’s impressive catch at short at the very least backed what Shelton and others in the organization have said.

Peguero has always had the athleticism and has now added improved defense to his skillset. If he’s able to drive the ball like he did in the fourth inning on a more consistent basis, he might not have to wait nearly as long to make his 2025 season debut.

“When you work really hard and then you see the results, the results that you’d be looking for, you just get excited,” he said. “Right now, I just want more. I’m gonna continue to keep improving out there and give everything I have, which is really exciting.”