Alex Cora Makes it Clear He Had Nothing to Do With Red Sox Selecting Puerto Rican Shortstop in Draft
By Michael Luciano
When the Boston Red Sox used the 69th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft on Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy shortstop Matthew Lugo, who just happens to be Beltran's nephew, many were crying nepotism, as manager Alex Cora is Puerto Rican, was a former shortstop, and has played with Beltran in the past.
Cora vigorously defended himself, saying he had nothing to do with the Red Sox picking Lugo.
For those who assumed Alex Cora had something to do with the Red Sox drafting Matthew Lugo, also from Puerto Rico, with their second pick, you are wrong.
— Michael Silverman (@MikeSilvermanBB) June 4, 2019
"None, none whatsoever," said Cora in KC. He said he might have spoken to him once while visiting Carlos Beltran's academy.
While the dots were easy to connect on this, Cora is chalking that up to happenstance and asserts the Red Sox scouting department made an independent choice.
As a prospect, there's a lot to like in Lugo, who will likely forgo his college commitment to Miami. With plus arm strength, solid power, and a slick glove, Lugo will likely stick at short. He's a raw player, but has all the physical tools scouts look for.
With the 69th pick of the 2019 #MLBDraft, the @RedSox select Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy (P.R.) SS Matthew Lugo: https://t.co/OHooNdL3XW pic.twitter.com/3aZ8SjJFt2
— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) June 4, 2019
As Michael Chavis and the current crop of top prospects finally reach Fenway, the likes of Jay Groome and Lugo will lead yet another cavalcade of talent that will hit the majors at the beginning of the next decade.