PAPILLION, Neb. (WOWT) – As Carlos Beltr\u00e1n prepares for his Major League Baseball Hall of Fame induction later this month, his nephew Matthew Lugo is working toward his own place in the major leagues \u2014 this time with a Royals connection of his own.<\/p>\n
Lugo, an outfielder for the Omaha Storm Chasers \u2014 Kansas City\u2019s triple-A affiliate \u2014 said watching his uncle become a nine-time All-Star shaped his development as a player from an early age.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a kid and having someone as Carlos Beltr\u00e1n, a Hall of Fame baseball player, and see him \u2014 how he works and his work ethic and all that, just super helpful for me,\u201d Lugo said.<\/p>\n
Lugo attended the Carlos Beltr\u00e1n Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico, where his uncle\u2019s influence extended beyond the classroom and onto the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was in Puerto Rico in school and he was playing here with the MLB teams, I would go to the cage. He would give me the key to go to his house and go to the cage,\u201d Lugo said. \u201cThat was super helpful for me to become a professional baseball player.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beltr\u00e1n, whose 20-year big-league career ended in 2017, will be enshrined in Cooperstown on July 26. Lugo said the moment carries weight for the entire family.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuper happy for him. A little bit emotional for the family. We know that he has worked very hard for that,\u201d Lugo said.<\/p>\n
The two also share a connection beyond family. At the World Baseball Classic this past March, Lugo started in center field for Puerto Rico, just like Beltr\u00e1n did before him.<\/p>\n
Their Royals ties run parallel as well. Beltr\u00e1n won AL Rookie of the Year with Kansas City in 1999 and spent his first seven seasons there. Lugo, a former second-round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox, made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2025 before Kansas City claimed him off waivers this past June.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe debuted with the Royals,\u201d Lugo said. \u201cNow I have a chance to play with the Royals in the Major Leagues, so that\u2019s pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lugo said the path to this point has included trades, being designated for assignment and multiple roster moves.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of bouncing around, but you\u2019ve just got to stay focused. At the end of the day, the game is the same. It doesn\u2019t matter where you play it,\u201d Lugo said.<\/p>\n
Since joining Omaha, Lugo is hitting .322 with eight doubles and seven home runs in 23 games. He said one piece of advice from his uncle has stayed with him throughout.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne advice he has told me was, \u2018Don\u2019t change your game. It doesn\u2019t matter where you go. Don\u2019t change your essence as a player. Don\u2019t change your identity as a player.\u2019 So that\u2019s been very helpful for me,\u201d Lugo said.<\/p>\n
\u2014<\/p>\n
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