Dodgers: Insider Information on Rising Star Players Hoese, Miller from LA’s Alternate Site
When the Dodgers announced that star rookie second baseman Gavin Lux wouldn’t be making the opening day roster out of summer camp, it was shocking but not surprising. After an offseason of hype and trade rumors surrounding the 22-year-old, expectations were high heading into 2020.
Manager Dave Roberts said on Friday that in spring training 1.0, Lux was right on track swing wise. However, after the shutdown and a still unexplained late arrival to summer camp/spring training 2.0, Lux himself admitted that he wasn’t quite right.
I think once I got back into L.A., I think just my rhythm was out of sync, how I was loading — I was just trying to sync up my upper and lower half. I was loading out of my back side, shifting forward, colliding into the ball a little.
With Lux unready for opening day, he was optioned to LA’s alternate site at USC where it turns out he was able to scout some of the top young players in the organization.
Lux said that he was really impressed by Kody Hoese and Bobby Miller over at the alternate site.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) September 4, 2020
In a chat with media on Friday, the top prospect shared his findings.
Kody Hoese can really, really, really hit. I felt like every day he was hitting a ball off the wall or shooting a double the other way. Bobby Miller came in and was 95-98 [MPH], hard slider, good breaking ball, good changeup… All the new draft guys, all the pitchers were all 95-96, with pretty good breaking balls. Shoutout to our scouting staff. Those guys were pretty impressive, especially coming right out of the draft.
Related Stories
- Dodgers Minor League Player Breaks COVID Protocols, Sent Home by Team
- Josiah Gray Gives Us the Inside Scoop on the USC Campus
- Standout Prospects Kasowski, Gonzalez, More Set to Make an MLB Splash in 2020
Hoese — a 23-year-old third baseman, was the Dodgers’ first round draft pick last season. In 41 games across two levels in 2019, he posted a triple slash line of .299/.380/.483 with 15 extra-base hits and 29 runs batted in.
Miller, 21, was LA’s number one pick this past June. The right-handed pitcher hasn’t appeared in an official professional game yet, but he was invited to the USC alternate site soon after signing with the Dodgers. In three seasons pitching for Louisville, Miller had a 15-2 record with a 3.28 ERA in 41 games (25 starts).
While Lux’s time at USC is likely over, at least he came back to the big club with some good info from the relatively hush hush alternate site.
Gavin Lux Talks Hometown of Kenosha, Stars of the Alternate Site, Dealing with Hype
Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, interviews, live streams, and more!
NEXT: LA Farm System Slips in Latest Mid-Season Prospects Rankings
Great News with Hoese, Rios and Muncy the Dodgers have some alternatives at 3rd base next year. Turner is a free agent.
I had read that Miller could have been a much higher draft choice. Lux reported 3 good pitches which sounds as if Miller may be close to ready for the Big Leagues. Only issue is there is a queue starting with Gray, White, Santana and several others.
Which is very good news for the Dodgers.
I am hoping they decide who they are going to keep and trade an excess young arm or two for a position of weakness which, depending on Lux’s development, may be second base.
I believe Turner will be extended for at least a year and who knows, he could eventually become the next David Freese for Dodgers.
I love J.T. but he will be 36 and he’s getting brittle. If money is of no consequence, give him a short term deal..If it precludes getting Lindor and shifting Seager to 3rd, I would rather use the combination of Rios,and Muncie until Lindor is a free agent. As J.T. gets older his ability to survive inside fastballs as he dives over the plate will be an issue. He is a great teammate and clutch as hell but will command big money. It’s always better to cut ties a year early as opposed to having a contract that prevents bringing in young, awesome talent..