The Red Sox do not lack for shortstop talent in the minor leagues. Last year's No. 4 overall pick, Marcelo Mayer, is considered the best prospect in the system. Even after a down 2021, Jeter Downs remains a future big leaguer, albeit probably at second base.
And then there's Matthew Lugo.
A second-round pick in 2019 out of Puerto Rico, Lugo may lack the fanfare of some higher-profile teammates, but at least one scouting expert considers him the sleeper of the Red Sox farm system.
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In unveiling his list of Boston's top 20 prospects, Keith Law of The Athletic places Lugo No. 9 and wonders if there are bigger things in store for the athletic 20-year-old.
"I think this is Lugo's year to take that big step forward at the plate, with harder contact and better at-bats translating at least into doubles power," Law wrote in picking Lugo as Red Sox sleeper.
The Red Sox drafted Lugo with the 67th overall pick out of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy, which is run by his uncle, the nine-time All-Star and maybe future Hall of Famer. Lugo hit .270 with four homers and 50 RBIs at Low-A Salem last year, showing clear improvement in the field and at the plate.
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"He's an athletic shortstop who should get to at least average power, and showed solid zone awareness last year in Low A, with just a 20 percent strikeout rate despite having played just two games outside the complex league before last year," Law wrote.
"His defense at shortstop has improved significantly, and the quality of his at-bats also improved over the course of 2021. He might be a level per year guy, but projects to be an everyday player at shortstop when he gets there."
It's worth noting that Lugo finished last season on a hot streak. He hit .349 in September with two home runs, 13 RBIs, and a 1.020 OPS. A shortstop for virtually the entire season, he saw some action at second base over the final two weeks, as well.