Matthew Lugo is showcasing his potential
After months of anticipation, spring training games returned over the weekend, signaling that Opening Day is just around the corner. While the last few days have already provided a few unforgettable plays, one Red Sox prospect who has shined is Matthew Lugo. The Puerto Rican native had his best season offensively in 2022 and has carried that success into the spring.
Through two games, Lugo is hitting .667 with five runs batted in. On Sunday, Lugo carried the offense and went 2-2 at the plate with a double and triple. As the Red Sox recorded their first win of the spring, Lugo drove in five of the seven runs they scored. The 21-year-old showed why his stock has risen over the last few months and took advantage of his latest opportunity.
Additionally, the Red Sox shortstop has provided a spark with his legs. On Sunday, Lugo’s base clearing double in the sixth barely made it out of the infield. The Red Sox’s 12th-ranked prospect turned a single into a double and put himself in scoring position. That type of hustle will help expedite Lugo’s expected arrival in the majors.
While his sample size is small, Lugo has shined in Fort Myers over the last two days. Against the Rays on Sunday, he barely missed his first home run of the spring and showed a good eye at the plate. Lugo currently leads the Red Sox in runs batted in and total bases.
Over the next few weeks, the Carlos Beltran High School product will be one player to keep an eye on. He will likely begin the 2023 campaign in Portland after ending last season in Double-A. If he continues to hit like he did last season and over the last few days, Lugo could be in Worcester at some point in the summer.
During the 2022 campaign, Lugo set career-highs in hits, runs batted in, and home runs while splitting time between two levels. With one weekend of games in the books, he has provided a preview of what the future could hold as he carried the Red Sox offense.
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