Shreveport native, Royals star Seth Lugo is putting on a new jersey. It honors his roots.

Seth Lugo is a Shreveport native. He played baseball at Parkway High School and then Centenary College.

The Mets’ Little League Classic uniforms feature their Players Weekend nicknames — Seth Lugo’s is “Quarterrican” in homage to his Puerto Rican heritage — and patches honoring those who influenced them. pic.twitter.com/rHhwPvJf6L

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 19, 2018

Friday, the 36-year-old veteran of 10 seasons in Major League Baseball, will put on a Puerto Rico uniform as the country’s opening game starter against Colombia in the World Baseball Classic.

Lugo’s paternal grandfather, Jose “Ben Lugo,” was born in San German, Puerto Rico. He joined the Air Force, eventually married a woman from Arkansas and retired in Shreveport.

Nine years ago, Seth Lugo represented Puerto Rico in his first WBC.

“It was the best baseball experience I can remember,” Lugo told La Vid Baseball following the event. “I had the expectation I wasn’t going to be looked at as not the Puerto Rican guy, but the American. I showed up with the team and they welcomed me like everyone else. It made it possible for me to go out and play comfortably.”

Lugo won his first two starts of the 2017 tournament – vs. Venezuela and the United States – before Puerto Rico lost the championship game to the Americans.

Following the event, the Bossier City resident played in a jersey sporting his nickname, “QuarterRican,” at two MLB events.

Lugo had just one season in the Majors under his belt the last time he wore the Puerto Rico jersey, but has since blossomed into a star.

In 2024, he led MLB in starts (33), represented the Royals in the All-Star Game and finished second in the race for the American League Cy Young Award.

Seth Lugo signed a $46 million contract with the Kansas City Royals. The former Parkway and Centenary product was thought to be one of the top trade candidates.

Kansas City Royals

Amid trade rumors last summer, Lugo signed a two-year (2026, 2027), $46-million guaranteed contract with the Royals.

Puerto Rico will open the 2026 WBC at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This time, things will look much different for Lugo. And not just his hair (it was bleached blonde in 2017).

“The most important part for me is for my kids to experience this,” Lugo told the Kansas City Star. “The last time I did this tournament, I didn’t have kids. I’m really excited for them, and (they) get to go to Puerto Rico and see baseball in a different light.”

Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo (left) with his wife, Amanda, and their two sons.

Submitted photo

Lugo’s wife, Amanda, and their sons arrived in San Juan on Wednesday. Seth’s father, Ben, will join them for the event.

“It’s very cool. He’ll be here with us to get to watch Seth represent his own dad’s heritage,” Amanda Lugo told the SBC Advocate.

Seth Lugo will be opposed by fellow MLB veteran Jose Quintana on the mound Friday. 

“The team turns into a family really fast,” Lugo said. “You know, a lot of the families travel with the other players. The stuff MLB does for the tournament and those little cities and at the hotels is really nice. The most memorable part is the accommodations to make it such a unique and personal thing.”