SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. >> Around this time two years ago, Marco Luciano declared that he would be in the majors by 2022.

After an injury-riddled season, that didn’t come to fruition, and it came as no surprise Saturday when Luciano, 21, was optioned to the minors.

Luciano is likely destined for Double-A Richmond, the next level up from where he ended last season.

The Giants typically move their position player prospects through the system more slowly than their pitchers, but Luciano could move quicker than most, given he has more pedigree than anyone else in the organization. Since signing out of the Dominican Republic for a $2.6 million bonus in 2018, Luciano’s size, strength and hitting ability quickly established himself as one of the most intriguing prospects in the game. From 2019-2022, Baseball America rated him among the top 20 prospects in baseball, with nobody higher in the Giants’ system.

However, Luciano’s stock began to drop last season, when a lower back injury limited him to 65 games. It further raised concerns when Luciano’s back flared up again in winter ball, forcing him off the Dominican League’s Estrellas Orientales after only five games.

Since arriving to camp this spring, Luciano has received nothing but rave reviews from Giants coaches. Although his back limited his workload to start, Luciano showed up more muscular than ever and, according to manager Gabe Kapler, with his best mindset.

“He’s taken some of the biggest steps forward of anybody in camp,” Kapler said last week. “He’s in a great frame of mind and he is enjoying camp in a way that I have not seen him in the past. He’s very engaged, smiling a ton, like really coming into his own. That’s super exciting for the organization.”

Luciano was cleared to resume all baseball activities last week, and he was seen taking ground balls at short and hitting in the cage.

He has not appeared in Cactus League game, though this move doesn’t necessarily preclude him from seeing live action later this spring. The Giants routinely bus players over from minor-league camp to take over in the later innings.

Schmitt at short >> While Luciano sat out last season, it opened a hole on the Eugene Emeralds roster. They needed a shortstop, so they turned to the slick-fielding prospect at third base, Casey Schmitt. By all accounts, Schmitt more than held his own at the position, prompting the Giants to get the 23-year-old more reps there this spring. His first start came Saturday.

Between David Villar, Wilmer Flores and J.D. Davis, the Giants have plenty of depth at corner infield. But it’s a different story up the middle, where Brandon Crawford and Thairo Estrada are the only players on their projected Opening Day roster who could play short.

While evaluators have said Schmitt has Gold Glove potential at third, the Giants aren’t discounting his ability at short.

“I think it’s safe to say that Casey has great hands, really strong arm, good instincts and his range should be fine at shortstop,” Kapler said last week. “I don’t think I have enough to predict his whole major league career, but I think he’s got the tools and the skills to be a solid Major League shortstop if that’s the path for him.”

Two others re-assigned >> The Giants have 54 players remaining in major-league camp after the latest round of cuts, which included Luciano and two other non-roster invitees: LHP Raymond Burgos and RHP Jorge Guzmán.