Matthew Lugo off to a torrid start for the Portland Sea Dogs
Lugo was named Eastern League Player of the Week for the week of April 15th -21st
Red Sox outfield prospect Matthew Lugo has been a force in the Portland Sea Dogs lineup to begin the season. With everyone focusing on the “Big"Three"—Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kyle Teel—Lugo’s bat has been scorching hot.
Through nine games, Lugo is hitting .357 with three doubles, one triple, three home runs, 12 RBIs, six walks, a 252 wRC+, and a 1.328 OPS.
Lugo had a big game on Saturday, driving in four runs, including a two-run double in the eighth inning, giving him nine RBIs in the last four games at the time.
In the Sea Dogs series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Lugo had hits in five games, he went 7-for-16 (.438 AVG) with three doubles, a homer, 10 RBIs, and five walks.
Lugo’s phenomenal week earned him the honors of the Eastern League Player of the Week for the week of April 15th -21st.
The nephew of Carlos Beltran has been hitting for power, and when he’s not hitting homers, he is hitting the ball into the gap for doubles.
Lugo isn’t considered to be a massive power threat; however, he has been focusing on adding that tool to his arsenal. In his first year in professional baseball, he hit one homer, followed by four the next year and 18 last season. Red Sox manager Alex Cora has compared Lugo’s style to that of former big leaguer Ángel Pagán.
Over the last few years, Lugo has been working on his swing and trying to hit more line drives. His better swing decisions are translating to more success at the plate.
“At his best when he looks to drive the ball in the gaps rather than sell out for power,” per SoxProspects scouting report for Lugo. “Aggressive at the plate, looks to attack fastballs. Concerns about his approach will translate against more advanced pitching. Potential fringe-average hit tool.”
Lugo was selected by the Red Sox in the second round (69th overall) in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft. He has spent parts of three seasons with in Portland appearing in three games in 2022 and 83 games in 2023 where he hit .242 with 23 doubles and 37 RBI.
