The Red Sox farm system has been on the rise in recent years. One prospect who has flown under the radar is Matthew Lugo. The Puerto Rican native was selected by Boston in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft and is currently their 12th best prospect. While he hasn’t received as much fanfare compared to his teammates, Lugo is a prospect to keep an eye on.
Through 146 games in the minors, Lugo has posted a .267 batting average. The 20-year-old also has 62 runs batted in and is coming off his best season yet. In 2021 he appeared in 105 games and improved at the plate while playing solid defense. However, his best stretch came in September.
In the final month of the 2021 campaign, Lugo was hard to keep off the bases. The former 69th overall pick hit .349 in 18 games. He also showed a little power in that span as he recorded nine extra-base hits. It was a welcoming sign for the Red Sox after Lugo’s development was put on pause when the 2020 minor league season was canceled. While Lugo isn’t known for his offensive, he continued to make adjustments.
Additionally, Lugo manages the strike zone well and understands how to use the entire field. While his strength is still improving, the Red Sox infielder is projected to average 15-20 home runs a year in the majors. In a farm system full of talent, he improved his game last season.
"It feels good to have the talent to represent my island the way they did."
Matthew Lugo, the nephew of @MLB legend Carlos Beltran, is looking to be the next big name from Puerto Rico. 🇵🇷
More from @JesseSanchezMLB:https://t.co/wFtewp5AKG pic.twitter.com/l1w5R57Kpd
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 30, 2019
What to expect from Lugo in 2022
As Lugo excelled offensively, he struggled at times in the field. In 93 games at shortstop last year, he committed 33 errors. The 2019 draftee was able to turn 42 double plays but has posted a .924 fielding percentage at shortstop over the past two seasons. However, he does have solid arm strength, which will be critical in the long term.
Although the talented infielder has a bright future, he also has competition at his position in Marcelo Mayer. He is already one of the best prospects in baseball and an important part of Boston’s future. Lugo, however, could still be a viable backup or find another home in the infield. In 2022 he will be looking to build on his progress as he faces more advanced pitching.
With only one full season on his resume, Lugo is still a few years from the majors. A breakout campaign in 2022, however, would raise his stock. While he is expected to start the season in Single-A, he is a prospect to keep an eye on.
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