Jesus Lujano

Position: OF
Level: Rk
Affiliate: XST Brewers
League: Extended Spring Training
Born: 02/18/1999 (Age: 25)
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 160
B/T: Left / Left
Acquired: Signed as international free agent July 2, 2015 (MIL)

Prospect Spotlight

Lujano signed with the Brewers out of Venezuela as a 16 year-old in the 2015 IFA class. He came stateside in last summer, struggling at the plate in his first taste of the AZL to the tune of a .255/.321/.324 triple-slash. Nonetheless, Lujano carries some big league tools, kept his strikeout rate in check, and did damage on the bases–stealing 29 bags for Milwaukee’s AZL club. Lujano was held back in Extended Spring Training to start the 2018 season, and I saw him twice this May on my swing through Arizona backfields.

Lujano is a smart and aggressive baserunner, getting the most out of average speed and athleticism. He’s fringy in centerfield right now and might not stay at the position, though he would be solid-average defensively on either corner. His 55-grade arm fits fine in right field and won’t preclude him from lining up at any of the three outfield spots. Offensively, he makes lots of contact and shows a feel to hit, working deep into counts and able to use the other field. Homerun power isn’t absent, but he’s a hit-over-power type bat that doesn’t project out as a prototype corner slugger.

If he can find a way to stay in center, the ceiling could be that of a lesser everyday regular at the position. It’s unlikely that what’s just average straight-line speed is enough to man a big league center every night, however, and Lujano’s more realistic future role is that of a fourth outfielder. He falls into the “tweener” category—lacking the thump for a corner without the wheels of a true center-diamond player—but his on-base skill and defensive versatility fit well as a spot-starter or late-inning reserve.