Dodgers: MLB Analysts Feel This is the Gavin Lux We’ve Been Waiting For
Gavin Lux could be finally turning the corner. The Dodgers have always had lofty expectations for their former top prospect. After two forgettable seasons, Lux has begun to look like the slugger that tore up AAA in 2019.
ESPN MLB Experts Buster Olney and Tim Kurkjian have taken notice. Both seam heads commented on how well Lux has swung the bat as of late. Olney has noticed a newfound confidence and swagger.
“He’s got some swag. He may not have Fernando Tatis Jr. swag, but you can see the confidence in his game.”
Lux was going to be given plenty of “runway” this year. Those opportunities have only increased due to the injury to star shortstop Corey Seager.
“It may be one of the best things that happened to the Dodgers during all of these injuries…because Corey Seager went out, they had to put Lux out there, and he’s responding. Maybe for the first time on a consistent basis as a big leaguer.”
Since Seager’s wrist injury on May 15th (damn you Marlins!) Lux has shined. The Wisconsin native is slashing .344/.417/.594 and leads the team with 10 RBI during that period. Lux is, at last, driving the ball to the tune of a 47.8% hard-hit rate. He also owns a sterling 179 wRC+ and an impressive 1.010 OPS. Of the lineup regulars, only the walk master Max Muncy has a higher OBP.
Kurkjian commented that this could indeed be the Lux that fans and rival scouts were buzzing about after 2019.
“He’s got two grand slams this season. Maybe this is the Gavin Lux we heard about all those years as top prospect in the Dodgers system.”
It’s still early, but it’s exciting to see the 23-year-old producing on a nightly basis. He’s been an important part of the Dodgers’ late-May resurgence.
Could it be the beginning of Lux fulfilling his potential?
NEXT: MLB Power Rankings: Padres Jump to the Top, Dodgers Fall Despite Winning
He is alot better then Seager at that position..Move Seager too another position or trade him ..He is a Boras cl ient it’s going to cost us too much money..
Lux’s performance so far, in a short sample, is important also as this is Seager’s year before his new contract. As Boras is his agent you know he is looking for Tatis and Lindor type money. Seager’s problem is he is rated negatively defensively by all of the top baseball metrics. Seager does not have enough range to play SS. He is probably destined to be a 3rd baseman. Seagers bat can be elite and he will garner a lot of interest.
Lux demonstrating he can play SS well defensively and hit for average and power gives the Dodgers a ceiling on how high and on what terms they would sign Seager.
I would sign him with the agreement he is willing to play 3rd base and not for the huge contract he is looking for.
Story will be leaving Colorado and he has consistently has had a higher WAR than Seager because of defense. Lux could play SS next year the Dodgers reportedly have several strong Farm Team players like Busch, Mann, Amaya, and Estevez to name a few that could play 2nd base.
Lux is also showing the power he has as well.
The emergence of Lux has come at the right time. As much as I like Seager, he is not as good a fielder as Lux. If they keep Lux at short, they can save a lot of money in the shortstop mania this coming off-season. I would like Seager back, but not for the amount of money that Boras will be asking.
How about a straight up trade of Seager for Bryant?