April 23rd, 2019 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 The first shortstop selected in the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft was Gavin Lux, a then 18-year-old player from Indian Trail High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Kenosha, Wisconsin is not exactly “The Cradle of Shortstops.” That prestigious title belongs to the city of San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic. But Dodgers scouts somehow found a gem in a town of less than 100,000 people and the Dodgers selected Lux as the 20th overall pick in the first round.
What did Dodgers scouts see in Lux that they liked better than more well known shortstops like Delvin Perez (selected three picks later by the St. Louis Cardinals) and Bo Bichette (66th pick by Toronto Blue Jays)? Likely the combination of superior athleticism, quickness, speed, bat-to-ball skills, the hands and range to stay at shortstop, work ethic, plus the swagger of confidence, needing only to add physical maturity and experience. More than enough to justify the $2.3 million signing bonus that lured him away from his full-ride scholarship to Arizona State University.
After signing with the Dodgers, Lux started his professional career with the Arizona Rookie League Dodgers, but quickly moved to the more advanced Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer League. Offensively, he did well in his first professional season, slashing .296/.375/.399/.774. But his shortstop defense was rough, a .917 fielding percentage with 15 errors.
The following season, 2017, the Dodgers tested the 6′-2″ / 190-pound left-handed hitting / right-handed throwing Lux at Low Single-A Great Lakes, with mixed results. He slashed a modest .244/.331/.362 with seven home runs, stealing 27 bases, but his erratic throwing from shortstop resulted in 19 errors and a .933 fielding percentage. He also played 43 games at second base, fielding at a much better rate of .974.
After the 2017 season, Lux worked to increase his strength, without sacrificing speed and agility, and he altered his swing-path to increase his power. The 2018 results were impressive; one of the best offensive shortstops in minor league baseball, slashing a combined .324/.399/.514/.913 for the Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, including 15 home runs. In the Texas League playoffs, Lux batted .424, helping to lead the Drillers to the 2018 Texas League Championship.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)
Dodger fans may recall that Lux was on a (very) short list of top Dodgers prospects deemed to be ‘untouchable’ when the Dodgers were reportedly in on talks to bring All-Star slugger Bryce Harper and several other big-name players to Los Angeles, as was 21-year-old right-hander Dustin May, 20-year-old catching prospect Keibert Ruiz, and current Dodgers outfielder Alex Verdugo. By every indication, the Dodgers made the right decision in doing so.
Returning to the Drillers for the 2019 season, Lux enhanced his standing in Baseball America’s Top-100 prospects (currently number 36), slashing .358/.404/.642/1.045 that includes three home runs, two doubles, and two triples. Although he is almost three years younger than the average Texas League player, Lux is playing at such a high level that a promotion to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers seems imminent.
The only blemish on Lux’s scouting report are his 65 errors since turning pro, the vast majority of which are throwing errors from the shortstop position. Not to worry, the Dodgers are deep in shortstops, and his bat would make him an elite offensive second baseman.
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Finally saw this kid play in ST earlier this year. Offensively, he’s about as close to major-league ready as they come. Bat-to-ball skills are easily on par with Corey Seager and Alex Verdugo, plus he doesn’t strike out a whole lot either. One thing he has improved on this season is his ability to hit lefties more consistently. Last year he struggled mightily in that area, but finally seems to have turned a corner of late and is now looking like a legit future big-league regular for once.
Only thing keeping him back from making the parent club right now (as soon as he makes his way to AAA OKC, where he should’ve been to start this season anyway) is obviously that throwing arm of his. It’s strong enough to make just about any play you can think of from either middle-infield position, but man does his accuracy need work! 2B is probably his most likely long-term destination, but if he continues to make it hard on the 1B with these erratic throws (even on routine plays, mind you) then I feel the coaching staff should SERIOUSLY consider trying him out in CF where such issues are greatly minimized. I’d only do that as a last resort, but Lux does have the speed and athleticism to possibly do well for himself out there if it came down to that. Still, with Seager and Kike’ Hernandez pretty much blocking him at both SS and 2B for the time being he’ll have plenty of time to sort those issues out.
Truthfully speaking, I’m just glad the Dodgers chose him over Delvin Perez (who I heard hasn’t been doing too good ever since being outed for PED use right around draft time, go figure)…
With Estevez, Downs, Mann, Lipit, and others for second base Dodgers could move him to LF where his average arm strength will be adequate. For now, second base seems like his destination
Speaking of Estevez, he hasn’t stopped raking since the second half of last season for High-A Rancho! Last time I checked, he’s still batting well over .400 for AA Tulsa. Guess he wants to move up to AAA OKC the very moment Lux does, lol.
Working on an Estevez piece now. He could be the player that forces the Dodgers to move Lux to the outfield, or as you suggested, first base
Will be looking forward to that one. Btw, I didn’t mention 1B as a possible option for Lux if he continues to have throwing issues from up the middle. However, it’s a good thing you did because I never considered that being an option for him (with Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy currently occupying that spot at times this season). Either way, he’s versatile enough that the Dodgers will make sure to find a place for him on the parent club roster when the time comes.
Thanks for the write up…I seen him for the first time, via webcast during ST. My take was he needed to get smoother on defense. At the time I shrugged it off as being new to camp and young, but after reading what y’all have written, maybe he just needs more time, more reps and confidence?
Addendum: Gavin Lux was interviewed by Troy Schulte, MiLB, giving fans more insight:
During the Winter he made several trips to LA and took the opportunity to talk with Chase Utley, Justin Turner, and Kiké Hernandez as well as taking hitting instruction from new hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc and assistants Brant Brown and Aaron Bates. talked about how to hit left-handed pitching with Chase Utley. He talked defense with Justin Turner and Enrique Hernandez. He took instruction from organization coaches Robert Van Scoyoc, Brant Brown and Aaron Bates. The whole time, Lux straddled a line of seeking out as much information he could while letting the veterans get their work in, too.
“They’re super open to everything,” Lux said. “The more I can pick their brains, the more I can learn. So, for me being around them everyday was a learning experience for me.” In particular, he spent time talking with Utley about hitting LH pitching. So far this season, he’s most happy with his performance against left-handers. A struggle for him in his first three professional seasons, Lux is 4-for-8 against lefties this season. It’s a small sample size, yes, and all of those hits are singles, but it’s a good first step after his 5-for-28 performance against lefties in his time with the Drillers last season.
And he gives part of the credit to those winter talks with Utley.
“I’m super left-eye dominant. I never knew that until this offseason,” he said. “So, I started opening up and, honestly, I’m just trying to stay inside and shoot it the other way, and if he stays inside, pull it. I just think the more you see them, the more you get off of them.”
NOW he’s starting to make himself truly “off-limits” in any sort of trade talks. I’m especially glad Lux sought out Utley’s advice regarding how to hit lefties better. Looks like it’s already being put to good use this season. Picking Turner and Hernandez’s brains for fielding tips certainly doesn’t hurt his chances of possibly making the parent club, either.
🙂
Very impressive, mature decision by any prospect — even more so when only 21 years of age
Jesse, en llamas hoy!!!
Wonderful stuff!