It would’ve been easy for Liover Peguero to get frustrated considering the circumstances.
After appearing in 59 games as a rookie in 2023, the Pittsburgh Pirates were reluctant to give the 24-year-old another extended look in the big leagues.
Peguero totaled three games with the Pirates in 2024. After failing to crack the club’s Opening Day roster out of spring training, Peguero was briefly brought up in May, but totaled just 10 plate appearances during a 10-day stint with Pittsburgh.
Peguero was optioned back to Triple-A Indianapolis on May 12 and didn’t get recalled until over two months later. Once he returned, his playing time was initially sparse, until the trade deadline passed and he finally carved out more regular playing time.
“Not at all. I’m a very patient guy,” Peguero said when asked if it was frustrating having to wait for another shot. “Things take time. It’s just part of the process. I’m never thinking about anything else other than controlling what you can control. I always have that in mind. There was no frustration at all.”
A recent slump has sunk Peguero’s batting average to .200, but he’s shown some flashes of what he’s capable of. The most impressive display came at Coors Field on Aug. 2, when Peguero belted three home runs and drove in five runs in the Pirates’ 8-5 loss to the Colorado Rockies.
Peguero led off the game with a solo homer to left field. In the fifth, he belted a three-run homer to left, and he completed the hat trick with another solo homer in the top of the ninth.
“I’ve always known I’m able to do some damage every at-bat. I felt like that day everything surprised me though, man. Three in a game makes you feel a certain way,” he explained. “I feel like I do have that in there though and I’ve got that kind of power.”
One of the reasons Peguero has been a more frequent presence in the lineup in recent weeks is because of his new-found versatility. A shortstop for most of his career, the Pirates started to expose Peguero to more positions at Triple-A Indianapolis.
“It feels good being able to get out there, especially now late in the season,” he explained. “Right now I’m just trying to get used to bouncing around different positions, but it feels really good to be playing more now.”
In addition to his natural position Peguero saw time at first base, second, third and in center field. Since rejoining the Pirates, he’s played shortstop, first and second. When he’s not playing short, he’s served as a right-handed platoon partner for the lefty hitting Spencer Horwitz at first base.
Although he’s bounced around more this year, Peguero still considered himself a shortstop, and he’s looked better there than he did during his rookie season.
“That’s where I’ve always been. I’m a shortstop at the end of the day,” he said. “I’m just working extra every day, making sure I’m in a good spot all the time. It’s been working so that’s what I’ve been doing. I’m always trying to keep it simple.”
Peguero is one of a handful of younger players the Pirates should try and get a better feel for heading into next season.
It wasn’t long ago that Peguero was viewed as the potential shortstop of the future. After he was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the trade that sent Starling Marte to the desert, he was a top five prospect in the organization.
As is often the case this time of year, the Pirates are playing for next season, and they will head into the offseason with needs in their infield.
Maybe Peguero can fill one of those voids. Maybe better alternatives will emerge. But he deserves a shot over the final few weeks of the season.
“Leave everything I have out there,” Peguero said on what he’s hoping to show. “Help the team win and play hard, play like there’s no tomorrow. Take care of today. That’s the way I’ve been playing.”