The Angels signed Dominican shortstop Joswa Lugo for $2.3 million in January. That investment looks wise after a solid first pro season in the Dominican Summer League.
The 17-year-old hit .301/.370/.466 with five home runs and 18 stolen bases in 53 games.
But it was a tale of two seasons for Lugo, who put up a .986 OPS with a 22% strikeout rate through his first 31 games. Afterward, his production declined as he struggled with breaking balls. His OPS fell to .654 in his final 32 games with a strikeout rate near 28%.
“He got tired as the year wore on,” Angels international scouting director Brian Parker said. “He’s talented enough to get to a lot of pitches but has to continue recognizing what pitches he can do damage on.
“As he does that and (gains experience), it’s going to give him a better chance of becoming an impact bat.”
Lugo is a physical 6-foot-3, 187 pounds and is projected to outgrow shortstop, though the Angels were satisfied with his defensive progression.
“The DSL staff put in a lot of work with him defensively, and he got better from day one to the end of the season,” Parker said. “It’s a credit to him and our staff, improving his footwork and his basic defensive fundamentals.”
Lugo is one of the top prospects in a shallow Angels farm system and the top future talent on a DSL affiliate that reached the league championship series. Among that group were righthanders Dioris De La Rosa and Ubaldo Soto and outfielder Hayden Alvarez.
It is a fresh look for an organization that has struggled to procure and develop amateur international talent over the past decade. Pitchers Jaime Barria, Jose Soriano and Jose Suarez are rare exceptions.
Recent international classes since Parker took the helm forecast to be much more impactful.
“We’ve been able to add a few spots over the last few years and have a staff that is working really well,” Parker said. “It’s exciting to see so many young kids who are coming through the lower levels.”