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Boston Red Sox top-30 prospect rankings after 2022 MiLB season

By Hunter Noll

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 6: A general view during a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on September 6, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 6: A general view during a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on September 6, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 15: Christian Vazquez #7 of the Boston Red Sox makes his way to the bullpen prior to the start of the game against the Colorado Rockies at Fenway Park on May 15, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

No. 12: Red Sox shortstop prospect Matthew Lugo

Matthew Lugo had a major breakout year. In 2021, he showed plenty of potential in Low-A. There was plenty of room for improvement in every area though. 2022 saw Lugo take massive steps forward everywhere.

The right-handed hitter slashed .282/.338/.492 with 26 doubles, 10 triples, and 18 home runs in 117 games between High-A and Double-A. He drove in 79 runs, scored 77 more, and stole 20 bases as well.

Lugo’s average rose from 2021, but the big leap here was his slugging percentage. He showed very little power in 2021 (slugged .364). A jump up to .492 despite the higher level was incredible. Lugo was finding gaps more, but it was the move from four home runs to 18 that made the biggest difference.

The 21-year-old hit a couple of slumps and insanely hot streaks during the year. For the most part, though, he was extremely consistent. Lugo was smoking baseballs and producing runs all season.

That power jump was encouraging, as it shows he is making the necessary tweaks and improvements to his game. And at such a young age, things could continue to get better at the plate.

Defensively, Lugo made some great steps in 2022 as well. Playing shortstop, third base, and second base, he wasn’t nearly as error-prone as he was in 2021. Solid range and a decent glove, with a strong arm. This will never be an elite area of Lugo’s game, but he’s showing that he can be a solid-enough fielder.

Meanwhile, speed is another part of his game that might not be elite, but more than gets the job done. Lugo isn’t going to terrorize opposing teams with his legs. But there’s enough there that he’s going to get plenty of extra-base hits, and could steal 15-plus bases on a yearly basis.

Overall, Lugo is very offensively inclined. He took serious steps in 2022, and it wouldn’t be shocking if he made another leap forward in 2023. If that’s the case, we could see some higher ratings and a prospect that suddenly has the fan base going crazy. Definite potential to hit for average plenty of pop, and a nice all-around game.

Hit: 65

Power: 60

Run: 60

Arm: 55

Field: 45

Overall: 55

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