The 2020 MLB season did not go as planned for many players, with Spring Training ending prematurely and the regular season being pushed back until late July. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, David Price opted out, while others struggled to find a rhythm.
This held true for Gavin Lux, who entered the year with high expectations coming off a breakout 2019 season in the Minors. He was the favorite to win the Dodgers’ starting job at second base, but never really found his footing.
Lux reported late to Summer Camp after the long layoff due to undisclosed reasons, and once he did show up, it was clear he was a step behind his teammates.
The now-23-year-old began the season at the Dodgers’ alternate site and did not receive his first Major League opportunity until Aug. 27. He ultimately appeared in 19 games at the big league level, hitting just .175./246/.349 with two doubles, three home runs and eight RBI.
Despite the disappointing year, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman voiced his confidence that Lux will bounce back next season, via Pedro Moura of The Athletic:
“It’s really to do a lot of things similar to what he did last offseason. He had a really good offseason and was in a really good spot in spring training 1.0. And then when we get to spring training 2.0, he was a little delayed, and it just took him a while to get his legs under him. I think there are a lot of guys who suffered from this strange season. He was definitely one of them. But the natural ability, the instincts on the field, the overall player that he is, we still very much believe in.”
Even with his overall struggles during the regular season, Lux still managed to earn a spot on the Dodgers’ National League Division Series roster. He struck out in his lone at-bat against the San Diego Padres, which wound up being his final plate appearance of the year.
Now as the focus turns to next season, Lux still remains a big part of the Dodgers’ future. He is less than two years removed from being considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball and presumably will benefit with a more normal 2021 campaign.
Lux: Time at Dodgers’ alternate site was ‘needed’
While Lux would have preferred to be included on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, he was understanding of the club’s decision to option him to USC to begin the 2020 season. “I just didn’t feel comfortable in the box at that time,” he said when reflecting on the subject.
“Going to USC and getting at-bats on a daily basis helped me feel what I needed to and iron some things out. Just take it for what it is, and that’s what I needed. I got a lot of at-bats, which was good.”
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