The 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers roster is going to feature an influx of talent compared to a year ago, with Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow the headliners. But Gavin Lux is also expected to take on a prominent role at shortstop.
Lux was named the Dodgers’ starting shortstop for 2023 but he suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee during Spring Training that cost him the entire season. Lux spent last year navigating a long rehab process and he’s continued that work this winter.
Lux and multiple Dodgers players have been regularly working out at Dodger Stadium during the offseason, which has amounted to getting to know Ohtani.
During an interview with John Hartung, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Bill Plunkett, Lux detailed being amazed by Ohtani’s talent and capabilities, via SportsNet LA:
“Yeah, I mean just being around him probably about the last month or so, he’s just a really fun person to be around. He keeps everything super light, but he gets his work in. He’s in the weight room, he’s busting his you know what. When he’s taking his flips, going through his rehab progression, everything is with intent and focus. And he’s just a freak of nature, man. I mean, you get next to him, he’s huge.
“We did the force plates yesterday and he’s like the best jumper in the organization. Just the stuff he can do on a baseball field is obviously unbelievable, but getting to be around him and see how he works and just get to know him a little bit, I think it’s been pretty cool. And I think we’re going to score a lot of runs this year with him.”
Lux and the Dodgers have not been too far over the past six seasons as Ohtani demonstrated his remarkable skill as a two-way All-Star for the Los Angeles Angels.
During that time Ohtani twice won the American League MVP Award in unanimous fashion, Rookie of the Year and was a two-time Silver Slugger, among other accolades.
The Dodgers won’t yet reap the full benefits of having Ohtani part of their team as he’s not expected to resume pitching until the 2025 season.
Dodgers trust Gavin Lux’s defense
In the past Lux has endured some struggles when filling in at shortstop, but the Dodgers are confident in his ability to play the position and their internal metrics reportedly grade him well.
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