The Los Angeles Dodgers were well-represented in MLB Pipeline’s midseason top 100 prospects update, as infielder Gavin Lux jumped all the way up to the No. 10 spot.
The 21-year-old was previously penciled in at No. 70 entering the 2019 season. Rounding out the updated list for the organization is right-hander Dustin May (No. 35), catcher Keibert Ruiz (No. 36) and fellow backstop Will Smith, who checks in at No. 54.
Lux, the Dodgers’ No. 1 ranked prospect, has split time between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. Appearing in 64 games for the Drillers, he hit an impressive .313/.375/.521 with seven doubles, four triples, 13 home runs, 37 RBI and seven stolen bases over 291 plate appearances.
Lux was one of two Dodgers prospects, along with May, to represent the National League in the 2019 MLB Futures Game. He was promoted to the Dodgers’ top Minor League affiliate at the end of June and promptly recorded a hit in 16 consecutive games.
In 23 overall games for Oklahoma City, Lux has produced video-game like numbers, batting .474/.553/.918 with 11 doubles, four triples, eight home runs and 27 RBI across 114 plate appearances. He was named PCL Player of the Week for July 15-21 and has garnered rave reviews from his coaching staff and teammates alike.
May has additionally thrived during the 2019 season, splitting time between Tulsa and Oklahoma City as well. He opened up the year as part of the Drillers’ starting rotation, and overall, posted a solid 3.74 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 15 starts.
Like Lux, May earned a promotion to the Dodgers’ top Minor League affiliate at the end of June. In five starts thus far, he has compiled a perfect 3-0 record, 2.30 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 24 strikeouts against nine walks over 27.1 innings of work.
As for Ruiz, who continues finding his name in trade rumors, he has taken a bit of a step back this season in terms of production. Beginning the year with the Drillers, he hit .254/.329/.330 with nine doubles, four home runs and 25 RBI in 310 plate appearances (76 games).
Similar to the aforementioned names on this list, Ruiz has since been promoted to Triple-A. In just five games to date, he has fared much better at the plate, hitting .318/.318/.455 with one home run and six RBI across 22 trips to the plate.
Whether Ruiz finishes out the 2019 season with the Dodgers organization remains to be seen. He is reportedly coveted by the Pittsburgh Pirates as the centerpiece in a potential trade involving Felipe Vazquez.
Smith, one of two Dodgers catching prospects included in MLB Pipeline’s midseason update, has the distinction of being the only player to appear in the Majors this season.
After thriving across three separate stints, Smith will receive the lion’s share of starts at catcher for the Dodgers going forward.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed memorable moments in the Majors this season, hitting his first career home run in walk-off fashion against the Philadelphia Phillies in June. Then later in the month, he hit another game-winning homer to help Los Angeles complete a sweep of the Colorado Rockies.
Most recently, Smith collected three hits — all of them for extra bases — and a career-high six RBI in his first game back with the Dodgers since being promoted from Oklahoma City.
