Once a highly-touted prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, Gavin Lux has yet to carve out a set position since making his MLB debut in 2019.
Lux reported late to Summer Camp last year and never got on track, and dealt with injuries and more inconsistency this past season. He went from being earmarked as the starting second baseman to filling a utility role.
It reminded of Chris Taylor being capable of playing all over the diamond, which Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said is a role Lux could eventually settle in to.
“I can (see it), and that’s a huge compliment,” Roberts said. “I think that sometimes we see things, Gavin is a shortstop, he’s the No. 1 prospect in baseball, or a second baseman, whatever it might be.
“To be an everyday player is the goal, and so it’s kind of cut up differently. So I certainly see him as an everyday Major League player and however that plays out for the roster, we’ll know in time.”
With the Dodgers re-signing Taylor, Lux may not be required to play multiple positions. However, that could again become a necessity if the team were to sign Freddie Freeman and move Max Muncy to second base.
Roberts praises Lux for willingness to learn new position
Before moving over to center field in September, Lux had never played there until making a start at the position for Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier in the month.
“I think it’s not surprising as far as the buy-in. I think it’s a credit to him willing to do whatever it takes to help us win,” Roberts said of Lux’s willingness to learn a new position.
“And it’s not easy to be in a position that you haven’t played a whole lot of, certainly in this stage, and on the heels of what happened. I mean, it takes a tough ballplayer to withstand that stuff.
“So it’s still my decision to run him out there, and like I said, there’s plays that C.T. has made that I think are pretty challenging for a guy who hasn’t played outfield, balls that are kind of slicing. I feel good with Gavin out there and I expect him to make the plays.”
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