Seth Lugo

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Mets #20 prospect in 2016
  Lugo served as ace for Centenary in 2011, the Shreveport, La., program's final year in Division I before dropping to D-III status, but he sure didn't pitch like one by going 3-7, 5.57. Regardless, he impressed the Mets at a pre-draft workout, and the club made him a 34th-round pick in 2011. Lugo missed the entire 2012 season after being diagnosed with the disorder spondylolisthesis, which necessitated a 10-hour surgical procedure to repair a displaced vertebra in his spine. Doctors warned him that he might not pitch again, but Lugo returned in the second half of 2013, then worked out of the bullpen in 2014. He returned to the rotation at Double-A Binghamton in 2015 and led the system with 127 strikeouts, thanks to the best breaking ball on the farm: a plus, mid-70s curveball with tight spin and late break. Lugo tops out at 95 mph and ranges from 88-94 mph. He also throws a slider and changeup that show average potential, and he's always around the plate with all four of his pitches. Lugo will be 26 years old in 2016 and could be positioned to assume a big league role, possibly in relief, if he pitches well at Triple-A Las Vegas.