The debate is over – 23-year-old Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux will be an everyday player in 2021.
…mostly.
“I think that we see Gavin as an everyday guy, right and left,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters following his team’s 6-5 loss to the Angels on Sunday night. “But he is going to have some off-days throughout the year and it’ll most likely be against left. But as far as left-handed pitching, he’s always handled it and hit ’em well.”
As Dodger fans know, the Kenosha, WI native and Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2016 out of Indian Trail High School in Kenosha has had an excellent Spring on both sides of the ball and against both right and left-handed pitching. Against right-handers, Lux is 8-for-27 (.296) with two doubles and four RBI. However, against left-handers, he is 6 for 13 (.462) with one double, one home run, and two RBI.
While this may not be the news that Chris Taylor fans wanted to hear, Roberts has repeatedly said throughout the Spring that CT3 will see plenty of playing time as the Dodgers primary utility player, including spelling Lux on those occasional days off.
In other news and even though his answer was rather coy, Roberts (sort of) confirmed what we already knew – that 25-year-old utility infielder/outfielder Zach McKinstry would serve as his team’s other utility/bench player, taking the place of beloved (and departed) Kiké Hernández, who was signed by the Boston Red Sox as a free agent this off-season.
Play Ball!
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It’ll be exciting to see what Lux can do this season! I don’t think anybody can hit almost .400 at AAA and not have a shot of being a monster at MLB level. He won’t match Kike with the glove at second, but he can be a clear upgrade with the bat. Hopefully at regular slot at 7/8 on lineup takes some pressure off and let’s him flourish.
I think Lux is going to be a big part of the Dodgers offense this season, also think Zach McKinstry is going to a very dependable player for the team.
If I’ve counted correctly, with the final additions of southpaws Scott Alexander and Zack McKinstry to the roster, the Dodgers have a majority left-handed roster (14 to 12). How common is this?
A very good – and valid – question, for which I do not have an answer. I do agree that it does seem a bit rare.
You got anything on this, Jesse?