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Trugo16 Athletics


For almost two decades, Trugo16 Athletics (formerly Cadets Player Development Academy) has been working with players at all levels in Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Rockland and Westchester County, NY.

The Trugo16 Athletics name was carefully crafted with meaningful elements that reflect our commitment to player development:

  • "Tr" stands for our trifecta approach: the player at the top, supported by the coach and parent, working together to maximize potential. Just like the strongest defensive units in baseball form a triangle, we create a foundation that helps athletes rise to the top.​
  • "Ugo" recognizes Coach Angel Lugo as the founder and owner of Trugo16 Athletics
  • "16" represents two critical defensive positions in paseball:  Pitcher (Position 1) and shortstop (position 6), the two positions Coach Lugo played.  These positions are often at the heart of the game requiring leadership, skill, and a deep understanding of the game's strategy.

At Trugo16 Athletics we believe that these elements align with our vision and future, where we emphazie not just sport-specific training, but the overall development of well-rounded athletes - ready to succeed both on and off the field.  We strive to help develop confidence, mental toughness, and self-esteem in our players and help them to understand that their success is a direct result of their hard work.  

Coach Angel Lugo opened Trugo 16 Athletics (formerly Cadets Player Development Academy) to share his knowledge and passion for the game at the completion of his professional baseball career. 

He was drafted in 1988 by the Minnesota Twins as a shortstop, later transitioning to a pitcher with the Marlins and the Blue Jays. Before that he played for Grady High School in Brooklyn, NY, and was an All-City shortstop for three consecutive years. 

In 2012, Coach Lugo was certified by Brent Pourciau for the Top Velocity Pitching Program and is now known as Brent's top instructor for the 3x Top Velocity Program. In 2013, he began coaching players in his Top Gun Pitching Program, D2 Catching Program, D467 Fielding Program and Zone it Up Hitting Development Programs. These programs have produced some of the area’s best players and top MLB prospects.​

In 2014, Coach Lugo decided to bring his knowledge of player development to the field and created his travel baseball college prep teams, currently known as 5Star Metro NY/NJ.

In 2016, Coach Lugo was named New York State Coordinator for USA Baseball's North Atlantic NTIS. In 2017, he formed the Hudson Valley RBI program, which is dedicated to getting inner-city players back on the softball and baseball fields.

Coach Angel Lugo

Director of Player Development

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