Minor Leagues Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online
The Carolina Flight this week announced that veteran first baseman Emilio Lugo has won the club’s Best Hitter Award for the 2042 season.
Emilio Lugo
But, as Carolina hitting coach Jeremy Alexander said, he hasn’t let it affect his play on the field.
“I know Emilio is enormously frustrated by what’s happened, but he’s channeled those feelings into his hitting – and the results speak for themselves,” Alexander said.
Lugo, 26, slashed .272/.358/.523 with 31 home runs and 90 RBIs for the season. He led the team in batting average, homers, RBIs, OPS (.881), hits (142), runs (96) and wOBA (.376).
“I don’t know what else to do,” Lugo said. “I mean, I can’t force them to bench guys like Simpson in favor of me. I’ve asked for a trade, but that hasn’t happened. They say they don’t want to just cut me … so … all I can do is go out and try to play good baseball,” Lugo said.
“And I guess I did OK ‘cause I won this certificate that said I did.”
Lugo’s prospects with the Sox don’t look appreciably better next season, so it’s likely he’ll toil for Carolina at least one more year.
“Whatever,” he said. “They say we got a new logo and some new uniforms, so … wheeee!”
Black Sox General Manager Benny Vitale was not amused by Lugo’s flippant response.
“We know Mr. Lugo did well in the minors this season, but there is a reason he is not playing in Chicago, except in a late-season callup role,” she said. “Instead of making light of Carolina’s new uniforms – which are quite attractive, by the way – he should work on upping his game so he is more than a reserve.”
Lugo’s career statistics with the BBA include a slashline of .284/.339/.520, 53 home runs, and 152 RBIs.
