2015 Toronto Blue Jays Top Prospects: #14 Dawel Lugo

It’s that time of year, where the team here at Jays Journal once again discusses the Toronto Blue Jays Top Prospects. We’ve compiled our Top 20. Basically, we wanted to create the most all-inclusive Blue Jays prospect ranking out there.

So, we took a mixed approach to our rankings. Not only did we take a ranking from each member of our writing staff, but we also figured in the rankings from other publications as well, including MLB.com, Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, and Minor League Ball.

We’ve already begun our Top 20 prospects in the Toronto Blue Jays system. #20– A.J. Jimenez, #19– Matthew Dean, #18– John Stilson, #17- Alberto Tirado, #16- Dwight Smith Jr., and #15- Anthony Alford

Today, we check in on #14, Dawel Lugo.

Name: Dawel Lugo
Position: Shortstop
Date of Birth: 12/13/1994 (20)
Acquired: Signed in July 2011 as an international free agent ($1,300,000 USD)
Born: Bani, Dominican Republic
Height/Weight: 6’0″/190 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R

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Awards/ Accomplishments:

Previously ranked 24th on Jays Journal 2013 Top Prospect List
Previously ranked 11th on Jays Journal 2014 Top Prospect List

Stats/ Analysis:

Dawel Lugo had an up and down season. His splits were somewhat concerning, hitting .352 against LHP and only .238 against RHP. He hit much better in the first half (.277) of the season than the second half (.243). His weak second half could be attributed to a terrible August, which saw him hit .147, Lugo would have finished with stronger overall number.

Franklin Barreto received a lot of press in 2014, many fans felt that he’d be the Blue Jays SS of the future. Dawel Lugo once had the same glitter and shine associated to his future, but unfortunately since joining the Blue Jays organization in 2012 Lugo has played against competition greater than 2.5 years his senior. In 2014, Lugo once again played against competition older.

Lugo’s greatest asset was to be his hit tool, but his over aggressive approach hasn’t produced results indicative of a Top Prospect. Lugo makes good contact with a 14.5 K%, but hasn’t shown an ability to draw a walk (3.6 BB%). The Latin SS has done a good job of putting the ball in play with 45% of his plate appearances resulting in either a ground out or single.

With runners in scoring position, Lugo hit .285/.306/.372 with a home run and 47 RBI. The high number of RBI comes as a bit of a surprise coming from the light hitting SS who only managed an awful 0.070 ISO. Despite his low power number, Lugo consistently hit in the 5th spot of the Lugnuts line up and managed a .252 BA with 3 HR.

In the field, Lugo played every game at SS and committed 26 errors, turned 53 DP, and produced a .943 fielding% and a RF/G of 3.94. Dawel shows good footwork and unlike Barreto, his chances of sticking at SS are very good.

Outlook/ETA

It’ll be interesting to see where the Blue Jays brain trust decide to start Lugo in 2015. Numbers aside, Lugo had a decent for a 19 year old playing in Low-A ball. It would be a good idea to have him start the season back with the Lugnuts because at 19 there’s no need to rush him. This will be a big year for Lugo, what with Barreto being traded and Emilio Guerrero (22), Shane Optiz (23), and Jorge Flores (23) and ahead of him a good 2015 would go a long way in separating him from the pack.

If Lugo falters in 2015 he runs the risk of being passed over by surging Richard Urena, who had an impressive season in Bluefield.

ETA: 2018

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