June 4, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Minor Notes: Lugo, Campbell, others get promoted
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Well-deserved promotions
Matthew Lugo (pictured) and Kristian Campbell have each been promoted, as Lugo heads to Worcester and Campbell heads to Portland. Lugo was drafted in the second round back in 2019 and five years later finds himself on the doorstep of the Major Leagues. He was having a huge season in Portland to the tune of a .315/.405/.664 slash line over 43 games. He had 10 doubles, four triples, and 11 home runs to go along with nine stolen bases. He has mainly been playing left field in 2024 after seeing some time at third last year. Ian Cundall noticed some promising trends in Lugo's profile at the plate, as he is chasing a lot less, making more contact, and hitting the ball harder.
Campbell was selected by Boston in 2023 and hasn't stopped hitting since. Between the FCL and Greenville last year, he hit .309/.440/.471 in 22 games. This year, he has played 40 games with the Drive and has hit .306/.418/.558 with 13 doubles, eight home runs, 26 walks, and three stolen bases. The 21-year-old has played three different positions this year, including second base, third base, and center field.
Our own Chris Hatfield also confirmed that Blake Wehunt is headed to Greenville. The right-handed pitcher was also taken in last year's draft and had been pitching very well for Salem. In eight starts, he posted a 2.16 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP in 33 1/3 frames. He had 44 strikeouts to 15 walks and opponents hit just .167 against him. Wehunt follows recently promoted right-hander Jedixson Paez to Greenville. Paez has already made an appearance for Greenville and went four innings with two runs allowed, four strikeouts, and no walks.
New podcast episode
For a more in-depth discussion on these recent promotions, Hatfield and Cundall have you covered on a fresh episode of the SoxProspects.com podcast. They also dive into the MLB club, as well as answering some questions. Also, on May 24, Ian went on the "Off the Pike" podcast with Brian Barrett of The Ringer to talk Red Sox.
Scouting Scratch on Luis Perales
Luis Perales, the top-ranked pitching prospect in the system, was also recently promoted to Portland. Cundall wrote a fantastic piece on Perales and some of the adjustments that he has made so far in 2024. He has improved his fastball velocity and also made some changes to his pitch usage.
May Players of the Month
Continuing the theme of highlighting recently promoted players, Campbell and Wehunt were named the SoxProspects.com Players of the Month for May. Jim Crowell takes you through their dominance over the past month.
DSL rosters announced
The Red Sox have put together their rosters for the Dominican Summer League, splitting them into two teams again, the DSL Red Sox Red and the DSL Red Sox Blue. Take a look at the rosters here, as several international free agents are set to make their professional debuts.
Donation Drive
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Players of the Week for May 27-June 2
Kyle Teel, C, Portland Sea Dogs
6 G, 24 AB, 10 H, 1 2B, 3 HR, 6 R, 11 RBI, 2 SB, 3 BB, 5 K, .417/.517/.833
Not only did Teel have a monster week, but it was filled with clutch moments as well. On back-to-back days, Teel belted game-changing home runs in the ninth inning. On Friday, he blasted a three-run shot in the ninth to tie the game, and on Saturday he hit a go-ahead grand slam in the ninth. The third-ranked prospect here at SoxProspects.com is coming off a big month of May that saw him hit .357/.443/.560. He has carried that over to June as well, going 4 for 8 with a home run and eight total bases in two games.
Teel has done nothing but hit since being drafted by the Sox 14th overall last year, slashing .328/.439/.496 in 66 games so far in his minor league career. Boston's catcher of the future has also caught five would-be base stealers so far this season. He has caught in 27 games and been the DH in 13.
Richard Fitts, RHP, Worcester Red Sox
1 G, 1-0, 7 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
Fitts is coming off the best start of his Red Sox career, as he set down the first 21 batters that he faced. The perfect game was lost in the eighth, but it was still enough to get a win. The right-hander was acquired this past winter from the Yankees as part of the Alex Verdugo trade. He is off to a promising start with a record of 4-1 in 10 games (nine starts) with a 3.72 ERA. He has been very consistent as well, with an ERA of 3.91 in April and 3.52 in May.
Photo Credit: Matthew Lugo by Kelly O'Connor