The Los Angeles Angels have been investing serious money in their recent international draft classes, and this year’s is no exception. One of the most successful Angels prospects is shortstop Joswa Lugo, a shortstop who received the eighth highest payment in the 2024 draft class when he went with the Halos for $2.3 million.
So far the investment is paying off. Lugo is the sixth-ranked prospect in the Angels’ system heading into 2026, and Ian Cundall of Baseball America recently cited him as a potential breakout offensive player whose full abilities may be hiding behind relatively ordinary stat lines.
Specifically, Cundall mentioned Lugo’s underlying data when it comes to what he called power-over-hit profile, which he added was the opposite of what the prospect’s baseball card indicates. Lugo’s exit velocity clocks out at 107.4 mph, and he’s got a maximum EV of 113.5 exit velocity. Lugo is just 18, and those numbers are considered outstanding for his age.
To translate that into more conventional stats, the shortstop has also excelled in both of the stops he’s made so far. He had a strong debut in the Dominican Summer League initially, and Lugo’s slash line in the Arizona Complex League was 271/.375/.372 with limited and only two home runs in 152 plate appearances.
Those exit velocities indicate that there’s more power available, but there are issues, of course. Lugo’s contact rate was described as “fringy” by Cundall, so there’s work to be done with his approach, swing decisions and swing angles.
Lugo was also identified as one of seven prospects to watch when play in the Arizona Complex League began, and that piece by Jesus Cano of Baseball America noted that the shortstop has high-end bat speed and barrel control.
The Angels have a well-earned reputation for rushing prospects to the majors, but it’s unlikely they’ll do that with Lugo. Current shortstop Zach Neto had an outstanding season for the Halos, and he supplied plenty of power with 26 home runs.
There is a need at second base, however, if Lugo can refine his contact skills. Right now there Angels will have a positional tryout between prospect Christian Moore and newly-acquired second baseman Vaughn Grissom, who struggled with the Boston Red Sox after being acquired from the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Chris Sale.
Lugo won’t be part of that competition, of course, but he could get a quick look in spring training just to give him some exposure to tougher competition. Hopefully he can continue to rise through the Angels’ system and provide some hope and eventual stability in the team’s middle-infield situation.