The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off of a World Series Championship but they are not slowing down. Instead, they are going younger and cheaper at second base with Gavin Lux getting the starting nod.
Heralded Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Gavin Lux may finally have his chance to play full-time in the major leagues. The 23-year-old has seen pieces of action over the last two years. With a small sample size of 151 plate appearances, Lux slashed .210/.278/.655 over his first two seasons. Last year could have simply been bad luck and not enough time on the diamond for Lux with a BABIP of .195 compared to .327 in 2019. Interestingly enough, Lux’s K% diminished (29.3% in 2019 to 27.5% in 2020) which shows he is getting more comfortable with major league pitching.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have not soured on Lux and appear primed to give him the starting job at second base.
It's sounding more and more like Gavin Lux will be the Dodgers' starting second baseman. Roberts said Lux will get "runway to play second base" with some shortstop on days Corey Seager is off.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) March 1, 2021
In 2019-20, the Dodgers used a committee of four players to man second base; Enrique Hernandez (30 games), Gavin Lux (18 games), Chris Taylor (13 games), and Max Muncy (12 games). With Kike Hernandez signing a two year deal with the Boston Red Sox, it is Lux’s spot to lose.
Drafted as a shortstop in 2016, Lux began working at second base while in Single-A in 2017 appearing in 43 games at second base. The Dodgers slowly worked Lux into second base after seeing he was blocked in the MLB at shortstop by Corey Seagar. Lux has struggled defensively at his new position but had an all-around down year in the COVID ravaged 2020 season.
2021 is a new year for Gavin Lux with new potential. He will, most likely, be the Opening Day second basemen for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Lux will also be playing in a 162 game MLB season; his first. He’s only 23 and as recent as last year was named the #4 overall prospect in all of baseball. Do not sleep on his bat either. Across four minor league seasons and 1,800 plate appearances, Lux hit .305/.383/.866 with 48 homeruns.