| Matthew Lugo | |
|---|---|
| 👁 Image Lugo with the Boston Red Sox in 2019 | |
| Los Angeles Angels – No. 15 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (2001-05-09) May 9, 2001 (age 24) Manatí, Puerto Rico | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 9, 2025, for the Los Angeles Angels | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Batting average | .232 |
| Home runs | 4 |
| Runs batted in | 9 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference 👁 Edit this at Wikidata | |
| Teams | |
| |
Matthew Jabel Lugo (born May 9, 2001) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2025.
Career
[edit]Boston Red Sox
[edit]After Lugo's junior year in high school, he was selected to play in the 2018 Perfect Game All-American Classic.[1] He was committed to the University of Miami and was the highest-ranked Puerto Rican prospect (No. 38) in the 2019 MLB draft.[2] In the draft, the Boston Red Sox selected Lugo in the second round.[3][4][5][6]
After getting drafted and forgoing a college career, Lugo was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Red Sox, where he played 39 games and slashed .257/.342/.331 with one home run.[7] In the offseason, Lugo played in the Puerto Rican Winter League for Atenienses de Manatí.[8] After the 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lugo was invited to participate in the Red Sox' fall instructional league.[9] Lugo spent the 2021 season in Low-A with the Salem Red Sox, batting .270 with four home runs and 50 RBI in 105 games.[7]
Lugo spent most of 2022 in High-A with the Greenville Drive, and also played in three Double-A games with the Portland Sea Dogs.[10] For the season, he batted a combined .282 with 18 home runs and 79 RBI.[10] During the 2022–23 offseason, he played in the Puerto Rican Winter League for Criollos de Caguas.[10] Lugo returned to Portland for the 2023 season, batting .242 with five home runs and 37 RBI in 83 games.[10] Through 2022, Lugo played as an infielder, primary at shortstop.[10] During 2023, he played both as an infielder an outfielder.[10] After 2023, he has only played as an outfielder.[10]
Lugo began the 2024 season with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, where he batted .250/.340/.452 with five home runs, 19 RBI, and seven stolen bases across 35 appearances.
Los Angeles Angels
[edit]On July 30, 2024, Lugo, Niko Kavadas, Yeferson Vargas, and Ryan Zeferjahn were traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Luis García.[11] He made one appearance for the Triple–A Salt Lake Bees, going 2–for–5 with a three–run home run. Following the season, the Angels added Lugo to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[12]
Lugo was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake to begin the 2025 season.[13] On May 9, 2025, Lugo was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[14] On May 11, Lugo hit his first career home run, a pinch-hit, solo shot off of Félix Bautista of the Baltimore Orioles.[15]
Lugo was again optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake to begin the 2026 season.[16]
Personal life
[edit]Lugo is the nephew of former MLB player Carlos Beltrán.[17][18][19]
References
[edit]- ^ "Matthew Lugo profile page". perfectgame.org.
- ^ Sanchez, Jesse. "Draft prospect Lugo carrying forth two legacies". mlb.com.
- ^ "Matthew Lugo page". soxprospects.com.
- ^ Collins, Matt (February 18, 2020). "Red Sox Top Prospect Voting: Matthew Lugo looks for his breakout". overthemonster.com.
- ^ Burgos, Adrian (June 5, 2019). "Red Sox draft pick Matthew Lugo has excellent options". lavidabaseball.com.
- ^ Collins, Matt (June 4, 2019). "Getting to know Matthew Lugo". overthemonster.com.
- ^ a b "Matthew Lugo". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
- ^ Maldonado, Antolín (October 16, 2019). "Los Atenienses de Manatí escogieron a Matthew Lugo en el primer turno". elnuevodia.com.
- ^ Hatfield, Chris (October 4, 2020). "Red Sox 2020 Fall Instructional Camp roster and details". SoxProspects.com. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Matthew Lugo Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ Browne, Ian (July 30, 2024). "Red Sox add bullpen depth in trades for Sims, García". mlb.com. MLB. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ "Angels Designate Jordyn Adams, Eric Wagaman For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ "Angels announce 2025 Opening Day roster". mlb.com. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
- ^ Morgenstern, Leo (May 9, 2025). "Angels Select Shaun Anderson, Transfer Ben Joyce To 60-Day IL". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "Angels' Matthew Lugo: Crushes pinch-hit home run". CBS Sports. May 12, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ "x.com".
- ^ Cotillo, Chris (June 4, 2019). "Boston Red Sox draft SS Matthew Lugo, nephew of Carlos Beltran, with No. 69 pick". masslive.com.
- ^ "Matthew Lugo player page". fangraphs.com.
- ^ Bradford, Rob (June 13, 2019). "Red Sox reportedly come to terms with their second pick Matthew Lugo". weei.radio.com.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from MLB·ESPN·Baseball Reference 👁 Edit this at Wikidata
·Baseball Reference (Minors)·Baseball Almanac 👁 Edit this at Wikidata
- 2001 births
- Living people
- Atenienses de Manatí (baseball) players
- Criollos de Caguas players
- Greenville Drive players
- Gulf Coast Red Sox players
- Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente infielders
- Los Angeles Angels players
- Lowell Spinners players
- Major League Baseball outfielders
- Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico
- 21st-century Puerto Rican sportsmen
- People from Manatí, Puerto Rico
- Portland Sea Dogs players
- Salem Red Sox players
- Salt Lake Bees players
- Worcester Red Sox players
- 2026 World Baseball Classic players
- World Baseball Classic players of Puerto Rico