The Los Angeles Dodgers won a franchise-record 106 games in 2019, and a big reason for that was the production they received from a variety of rookies and young players.
One of those rookies was 2016 first-round pick, Gavin Lux, as he tore his way through the Dodgers’ Minor League system and made his MLB debut as a September callup.
Lux was a highly-touted prospect heading into the season, but he was not expected to make it all the way to the big leagues in 2019. He began the year with Double-A Tulsa, hitting .313/.375/.521 with 13 home runs and 37 RBI in 64 games before being promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
He excelled in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League to the tune of a .392/.478/.719 batting line with 13 home runs and 39 RBI in just 49 games, forcing the Dodgers’ hand to call him up.
While Lux only hit .240/.305/.400 with two home runs and nine RBI in 23 Major League games during September, he earned his way onto the postseason roster and started three of the five games st second base against the Washington Nationals in the National League Division Series.
The Dodgers may have lost the series, but Lux showed that he belonged, slugging a home run in his first career postseason at-bat in Game 1. He did look a bit overmatched against Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, which is to be expected for a 21-year-old that has only had a cup of coffee in the Major Leagues.
Getting that experience was extremely valuable for the young prospect as he will now know what to expect in 2020, allowing him to prepare better this offseason.
It is unclear what Lux’s role will be for the Dodgers next season, but he told a group of veterans during a Q&A at Dodger Stadium on Monday afternoon that he hopes to be the team’s starting second baseman.
He was asked by a fan who’s gonna be the Dodgers’ starting second baseman in 2020 and his answer was “I plead the fifth. Hopefully me though.” 😂
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) November 11, 2019
The Dodgers ended the 2019 season with a starting infield of Max Muncy, Lux, Corey Seager and Justin Turner. It seems like some changes could be coming this offseason, with Los Angeles already being linked to free-agent third baseman Anthony Rendon, as well as Francisco Lindor in trade talks with the Cleveland Indians.
Any moves like that would obviously affect Lux’s role in 2020, so the offseason will have to play itself out before that can be determined.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events and more!
